Tourism shines at the 2017 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards

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Over 700 tourism industry representatives celebrated the best-of- the-best on Friday night at the 2017 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards held at the new Optus Stadium in Perth. The awards, which showcase the best in outstanding customer service, innovation and ongoing business excellence, were presented in front of industry peers and officials from across Australia.

Australian Tourism Awards chair, Daniel Gschwind, said that the calibre of finalists in this year’s awards was exceptional and the operators should be applauded for their dedication to providing quality tourism experiences: “Tonight, we celebrate leading businesses whose hard work, innovation and commitment to quality continue help to drive our industry as a leading contributor to jobs and economic growth across Australia.” Minister for trade, tourism and investment Steven Ciobo said the awards were a great showcase of the skill within the industry. “I’d like to extend my congratulations to all of this year’s finalists and winners. These prestigious awards provide a wonderful opportunity to shine the spotlight on Australia’s tourism industry and those operators and businesses who make such an important contribution to the record level of growth that our industry is currently enjoying.”

Among the 26 winners was Paul Hogan, awarded the status of Australian Tourism Legend in recognition for his role in attracting international visitors to Australia, most notably in the North American market. The Come and Say G’Day campaign, fronted by Hogan, opened Australia to a broader international audience and the line “I’ll slip an extra shrimp on the barbie for you” has been immortalised in tourism folklore.

“I’d also like to recognise Paul Hogan who has done so much for our industry and so richly deserves the tourism legend award bestowed upon him. The timing couldn’t be more perfect either, with the recent launch of Tourism Australia’s “Dundee” campaign drawing so much inspiration from the iconic film in which he starred,” Minister Ciobo added.

Notably, two businesses were inducted into the Hall of Fame with the Tasmanian Walking Company and BIG4 Deniliquin Holiday Park taking out top honours for Ecotourism and Caravan and Holiday Parks respectively. The awards are supported by industry and government partners, particularly naming rights sponsor Qantas, as well as Tourism Australia, Tourism Western Australia and Optus Stadium. “It is with the support of industry that we are able to recognise and celebrate these outstanding businesses tonight, and look towards a strong future for the industry built on partnerships,” said Mr Gschwind. 1. Major Tourist Attractions GOLD – NT Kakadu National Park SILVER – VIC Sovereign Hill BRONZE – NSW The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney   2. Tourist Attractions GOLD – ACT Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre SILVER – SA Calypso Star Charters BRONZE – NSW Sealy Lookout, Orara East State Forest 3. Major Festivals and Events GOLD – QLD Toowoomba Carnival Of Flowers SILVER – NSW The 28th Annual Byron Bay Bluesfest 2017 BRONZE – SA Santos Tour Down Under 4. Festivals and Events GOLD – VIC Riverboats Music Festival SILVER – QLD Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo BRONZE – TAS The Unconformity 5. Ecotourism GOLD – TAS Tasmanian Walking Company SILVER – SA Murray River Walk BRONZE – QLD Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort 6. Cultural Tourism GOLD – WA Fremantle Prison SILVER – TAS Port Arthur Historic Site BRONZE – NT Venture North Australia 7. Qantas Award for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tourism GOLD – NSW Sand Dune Adventures SILVER – WA Kooljaman at Cape Leveque BRONZE – NT Nitmiluk Tours 8. Specialised Tourism Services GOLD – VIC Parks Victoria SILVER – TAS RiverFly 1864 BRONZE – WA Sightseeing Pass Australia 9. Visitor Information Services GOLD – WA Swan Valley Visitor Centre SILVER – NT Alice Springs Visitor Information Centre BRONZE – NSW Sea Acres Rainforest Centre, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service 10. Business Event Venues GOLD – SA Adelaide Hills Convention Centre SILVER – VIC Holmesglen at Eildon BRONZE – WA Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough 11. Major Tour and Transport Operators GOLD – QLD Ocean Rafting SILVER – WA Aviair BRONZE – VIC SkyBus 12. Tour and Transport Operators GOLD – TAS The Maria Island Walk SILVER – QLD Fun Over Fifty BRONZE – VIC Autopia Tours – Small Group Experiences 13. Adventure Tourism GOLD – WA Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures SILVER – TAS Roaring 40s Kayaking BRONZE – SA Calypso Star Charters 14. Destination Marketing GOLD – WA The Epic Pilbara – Australia’s North West SILVER – ACT Pie Time – Southern Highlands BRONZE – NSW Mudgee Region Tourism – Let’s Skip Town Together Campaign 15. Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services GOLD – VIC Royal Mail Hotel, Dunkeld SILVER – NSW Margan Winery &Restaurant BRONZE – TAS Altitude Restaurant + Lounge Bar 16. Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries GOLD 518 WA Sandalford Wines SILVER 1192 VIC Bright Brewery BRONZE 413 NSW Cupitt 17. Caravan &Holiday Parks GOLD 1253 NSW BIG4 Deniliquin Holiday Park SILVER 311 WA RAC Cervantes Holiday Park BRONZE 492 QLD BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort 18. Hosted Accommodation GOLD 481 WA The Beach House at Bayside SILVER 421 QLD Cobbold Village BRONZE 89 SA Mulberry Lodge Country Retreat 19. Unique Accommodation GOLD – WA Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures – The Horizontal Hotel SILVER – QLD Cumberland Charter Yachts BRONZE – TAS Pumphouse Point 20. Self Contained Accommodation GOLD – SA The Frames SILVER – TAS Avalon Coastal Retreat BRONZE – QLD RACV Noosa Resort 21. Standard Accommodation GOLD – QLD Grand Hotel and Apartments Townsville SILVER – NSW Moama on Murray Resort BRONZE – SA Marree Hotel 22. Deluxe Accommodation GOLD – NT Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters SILVER – SA Yondah Beach House BRONZE – TAS The Henry Jones Art Hotel 23. Luxury Accommodation GOLD – TAS Saffire-Freycinet SILVER – NT Cicada Lodge BRONZE – ACT Hyatt Hotel Canberra – A Park Hyatt Hotel 24. New Tourism Business GOLD – WA Swan River Seaplanes SILVER – TAS MACq 01 Hotel BRONZE – VIC Arthurs Seat Eagle 25. Excellence in Food Tourism GOLD – NSW Margan Winery & Restaurant SILVER – WA Two Feet & a Heartbeat BRONZE – SA Barossa Valley Cheese Company

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