Published Friday, 14 November, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Carnival of Flowers a Queensland Tourism Awards finalist
Toowoomba’s iconic Carnival of Flowers has been named a finalist in the festivals and events category at the prestigious 2008 Queensland Tourism Awards, presented by Queensland Airports Limited, Tourism Minister Desley Boyle announced.
The awards were presented in a gala ceremony at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre this evening and the festivals and events category was won by the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race.
Ms Boyle congratulated event organisers for their continued support of the carnival, despite tough conditions due to drought in recent years.
“The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers will next year mark its 60th year thanks to the wonderful spirit of the local community,” she said.
“The carnival is renowned as Australia’s longest running horticultural festival, but now offers so much more thanks to the vision and innovation of organisers to transform it into Toowoomba’s premier tourism event.
“Now a waterwise event and celebration of fine food and wine, flowers, art and entertainment, the carnival provides a great opportunity to showcase all the Darling Downs region has to offer.
“The importance of events to draw visitors and invigorate local economies cannot be underestimated and I congratulate carnival organisers for their energy in this quest.”
Ms Boyle said there were more than 200 entries in this year’s awards across 29 categories.
“The awards recognise and reward excellence, innovation and success in our industry and all winners and finalists are to be commended for their outstanding achievements,” she said.
Attorney-General and Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine MP said the standards were high and competition was fierce which revealed the professionalism of the local tourism industry.
Ms Boyle said she congratulated Tourism Queensland and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) for organising and hosting the 2008 Queensland Tourism Awards.
“Thank you to our awards’ platinum sponsor Queensland Airports Limited for its generous support in presenting the 2008 awards.”
QTIC chief executive Daniel Gschwind said the awards' 13-member judging panel was impressed by entrants' business acumen.
"In these tough economic times, it becomes more imperative than ever for tourism businesses to employ sound planning and rigorous self-assessment," Mr Gschwind said.
"The Queensland Tourism Awards remains one of the best tools to guide operators through this process, with business planning a key component of every entry.
"Competition was as strong as ever this year and judges were pleased to see such high standards applied to submissions.”
Mr Gschwind also congratulated Qantas for its involvement in the new Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism, which recognises successful businesses whose operations conserve natural resources, respect local cultures and benefit neighbouring communities.
"Sustainability will continue to be a key concern for any tourism business, particularly for those Queensland destinations whose trade relies on credibility for environmental responsibility," he said.
All Queensland Tourism Award winners will progress to the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards to be held in Melbourne on 27 February 2009.
Ends
Media contact: Minister’s office 0419 025 326, Tourism Queensland 0424 151 684
The awards were presented in a gala ceremony at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre this evening and the festivals and events category was won by the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race.
Ms Boyle congratulated event organisers for their continued support of the carnival, despite tough conditions due to drought in recent years.
“The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers will next year mark its 60th year thanks to the wonderful spirit of the local community,” she said.
“The carnival is renowned as Australia’s longest running horticultural festival, but now offers so much more thanks to the vision and innovation of organisers to transform it into Toowoomba’s premier tourism event.
“Now a waterwise event and celebration of fine food and wine, flowers, art and entertainment, the carnival provides a great opportunity to showcase all the Darling Downs region has to offer.
“The importance of events to draw visitors and invigorate local economies cannot be underestimated and I congratulate carnival organisers for their energy in this quest.”
Ms Boyle said there were more than 200 entries in this year’s awards across 29 categories.
“The awards recognise and reward excellence, innovation and success in our industry and all winners and finalists are to be commended for their outstanding achievements,” she said.
Attorney-General and Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine MP said the standards were high and competition was fierce which revealed the professionalism of the local tourism industry.
Ms Boyle said she congratulated Tourism Queensland and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) for organising and hosting the 2008 Queensland Tourism Awards.
“Thank you to our awards’ platinum sponsor Queensland Airports Limited for its generous support in presenting the 2008 awards.”
QTIC chief executive Daniel Gschwind said the awards' 13-member judging panel was impressed by entrants' business acumen.
"In these tough economic times, it becomes more imperative than ever for tourism businesses to employ sound planning and rigorous self-assessment," Mr Gschwind said.
"The Queensland Tourism Awards remains one of the best tools to guide operators through this process, with business planning a key component of every entry.
"Competition was as strong as ever this year and judges were pleased to see such high standards applied to submissions.”
Mr Gschwind also congratulated Qantas for its involvement in the new Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism, which recognises successful businesses whose operations conserve natural resources, respect local cultures and benefit neighbouring communities.
"Sustainability will continue to be a key concern for any tourism business, particularly for those Queensland destinations whose trade relies on credibility for environmental responsibility," he said.
All Queensland Tourism Award winners will progress to the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards to be held in Melbourne on 27 February 2009.
Ends
Media contact: Minister’s office 0419 025 326, Tourism Queensland 0424 151 684