Published Friday, 14 November, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Double win for Outback operators at Qld Tourism Awards
Outback retreat Voyages Wrotham Park Lodge and Mount Isa’s Buchanan Park Events Complex have taken out awards 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.
“Voyages Wrotham Park Lodge in North West Queensland won the unique accommodation category, edging out a strong field from across the state,” Ms Boyle said.
“With all the comforts of a spectacular luxury resort set on a working cattle station, Voyages has assured guests of a truly unique experience and is a worthy recipient of this award.
“Mount Isa’s fantastic new Buchanan Park Events Complex won the hotly-contested new tourism development category.
“With a race track, rodeo arena and stadium, show grounds and plenty of amenities, this multi-purpose complex is state-of-the-art and a real boon for the Outback.
“The importance of regional events to draw visitors and invigorate local economies cannot be underestimated and it’s fantastic to see this level of investment in events tourism outside the state’s capital.”
Ms Boyle also congratulated seven other finalists from Queensland’s Outback region named for their outstanding achievements.
“Outback at Isa was announced as a finalist in an amazing three categories – tourist attractions, heritage and cultural tourism and visitor information and services – while the Station Store in Longreach was recognised in the tourist attractions and specialised tourism services categories,” she said.
“Finalists Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo and the Julia Creek Dirt and Dust Festival received special mention in the festivals and events category and the new Cattlemen’s Bar and Grill at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame was named a finalist in the new tourism development category.
“This is a fantastic result for the Outback, particularly in view of strong competition from across the state this year with more than 200 entries.
“It’s wonderful to see newer attractions recognised alongside established enterprises and I commend all operators for their efforts in what has been a challenging economic environment in recent times.”
She also 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,” she said.
QTIC chief executive Daniel Gschwind said the awards' 13-member judging panel was impressed by entrants' high degree of professionalism and 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.
“Voyages Wrotham Park Lodge in North West Queensland won the unique accommodation category, edging out a strong field from across the state,” Ms Boyle said.
“With all the comforts of a spectacular luxury resort set on a working cattle station, Voyages has assured guests of a truly unique experience and is a worthy recipient of this award.
“Mount Isa’s fantastic new Buchanan Park Events Complex won the hotly-contested new tourism development category.
“With a race track, rodeo arena and stadium, show grounds and plenty of amenities, this multi-purpose complex is state-of-the-art and a real boon for the Outback.
“The importance of regional events to draw visitors and invigorate local economies cannot be underestimated and it’s fantastic to see this level of investment in events tourism outside the state’s capital.”
Ms Boyle also congratulated seven other finalists from Queensland’s Outback region named for their outstanding achievements.
“Outback at Isa was announced as a finalist in an amazing three categories – tourist attractions, heritage and cultural tourism and visitor information and services – while the Station Store in Longreach was recognised in the tourist attractions and specialised tourism services categories,” she said.
“Finalists Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo and the Julia Creek Dirt and Dust Festival received special mention in the festivals and events category and the new Cattlemen’s Bar and Grill at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame was named a finalist in the new tourism development category.
“This is a fantastic result for the Outback, particularly in view of strong competition from across the state this year with more than 200 entries.
“It’s wonderful to see newer attractions recognised alongside established enterprises and I commend all operators for their efforts in what has been a challenging economic environment in recent times.”
She also 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,” she said.
QTIC chief executive Daniel Gschwind said the awards' 13-member judging panel was impressed by entrants' high degree of professionalism and 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