Australia's best named at Qantas Tourism Awards

IN a win for the embattled Queensland tourism industry, six operators from across the state have taken out seven awards at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.Taronga Zoo (NSW) won major tourist attraction, Santos Tour Down Under (SA) took major festival and events, and The Old Woolstore Hotel (TAS) was awarded top honours for deluxe accommodation.

Other major wins at the Burswood Entertainment Complex in Perth included Ecobeach Wilderness Retreat (WA) for unique accommodation, Max's at Red Hill Estate (VIC) for tourism restaurants and catering services, and Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours (Qld) for adventure tourism.

There were two Hall of Fame winners this year, Skycity Darwin (NT) for Luxury Accommodation and Sydney Central YHA (NSW) for Backpacker Accommodation and the Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism went to Lane Cove River Tourist Park (NSW).

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Queensland's Tropical North showed its strength with Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours taking out two of the region's three awards, the Gold Coast winning two awards, and one category each taken out by the Whitsundays and Brisbane.

Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) chief executive Daniel Gschwind said the Queensland operators' wins demonstrated the resilience of the state's tourism industry following the recent floods and Cyclone Yasi.

"QTIC's focus has been to ensure that no unnecessary damage is done to the industry through the mistaken impression that Queensland is closed for business, with many affected operators back up and running and other regions completely unaffected,'' he said.

Federal Minister for Tourism Martin Ferguson praised operators for their resilience."You are the industry which stands up against the challenges of the strong Australian dollar and natural and man made impacts both here in Australia and overseas,'' he said.

"When I look to Asia though, all I see is a huge wave of visitors heading in our direction - it's the sort of natural event we like to see."China has overtaken the UK to be Australia's most valuable inbound market.''

Mr Ferguson announced National Landscape awards to two of Western Australia's premium attractions, Great South West Edge, and Ningaloo Shark Bay which he said capture the essence of Australia's cultural, natural and spiritual significance.

The minister also unveiled a new series of Strategic Tourism Investment Grants valued up to $1 million calling for suggestions for projects from the tourism industry, all levels of government, community groups and individuals.

Qantas Australian Tourism Awards 2010 winners

Major Tourist Attractions: Taronga Zoo (NSW)

Tourist Attractions: Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours (QLD)

Major Festivals and Events: Santos Tour Down Under (SA)

Festivals and Events: Temora Aviation Museum - Sabre Launch (NSW)

Ecotourism: Lane Cove River Tourist Park (NSW)

Heritage and Cultural Tourism: The Workshops Rail Museum (QLD)

Indigenous Tourism: Mutawintji Eco-tours (NSW)

Specialised Tourism Services: Mornington Peninsula Tourism (VIC)

Visitor Information and Services: Bendigo Visitor Centre (VIC)

Meetings and Business Tourism: Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (QLD)

Major Tour and/or Transport Operators: Fantasea Adventure Cruising (QLD); Highly Commended,

Intrepid Connections NT Tour (NT)

Tour and/or Transport Operators: Tri State Safaris (NSW)

Adventure Tourism: Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours (QLD)

Tourism Marketing: Destination Gippsland (VIC)

Tourism Education and Training: Qld Dept Tourism, Leisure, Hotel and Sport Management (QLD);

Highly Commended, Holmesglen Tourism (VIC)

Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services: Max's at Red Hill Estate (VIC)

Tourism Wineries Distilleries and Boutique Breweries: Wyndham Estate Cellar Door (NSW)

Tourist and Caravan Parks: Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort (QLD)

Backpacker Accommodation: Sydney Central YHA (NSW) Hall Of Fame

Hosted Accommodation: Seppeltsfield Vineyard Cottage (SA)

Unique Accommodation: Eco Beach Wilderness Retreat (WA); Highly Commended, Rose Gums

(QLD).

Standard Accommodation, Scone Motor Inn (NSW)

Deluxe Accommodation: The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel (TAS); Highly Commended, Azjure

Studio Retreat (QLD)

Luxury Accommodation: Skycity Darwin (NT) Hall of Fame

New Tourism Development: Sydney Harbour YHA (NSW)

Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism: Lane Cove River Tourist Park (NSW)

Source = news.com.au