Tourism Excellence Honoured at Australian Tourism Awards
The Australian War Memorial in the ACT, Hayman in Queensland and Anangu Tours in the NT have been inducted into the prestigious Hall of Fame at the 2002-2003 Australian Tourism Awards, announced tonight in Adelaide.
Overall, Queensland took out eight awards, followed by the Australian Capital Territory and South Australia on five, Victoria three, Western Australia and the Northern Territory two, and one apiece to New South Wales and Tasmania.
Federal Tourism Minister Joe Hockey says the Australian Tourism Awards recognise and promote excellence in tourism, rewarding operators who constantly strive to meet the highest standards in customer service and product development.
"Tonight is a celebration of the nation's diverse tourism industry, which now employs 551,000 Australians and generates about $71.2 billion of expenditure annually," Minister Hockey says.
"The awards allow us to recognise achievements in tourism, after what could only be described as a testing 18 months for the industry. Tourism is vital for Australia's continued economic growth and in particular for sustaining regional communities who now more than ever will rely on much needed income from tourism."
Almost 800 tourism operators and industry leaders attended the black-tie presentation and gala dinner at the Adelaide Convention Centre for a taste of the finest South Australian food, wine, art and culture.
The Australian War Memorial, Hayman and Anangu Tours gained entry to the Hall of Fame after winning their respective Major Tourist Attractions, Luxury Accommodation and Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tourism categories for three consecutive years.
Other winners included Longitude 131 (NT) for New Tourism Development and the Monet & Japan exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia (ACT) for Major Festivals and Events. In its inaugural year, the Backpacker Accommodation category was won by the Glenelg Beach Resort (SA).
Two tourism operators - Nullarbor Traveller (SA) and Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa (Qld) - won in two categories.
Finalists in the Australian Tourism Awards must first win at State and Territory level, with more than 1000 operators taking part in the judging process across the country.
A complete review has occurred since the Australian Tourism Awards were last announced in Tasmania in November 2001. Measures include a move to a financial-year basis to suit most business practices, the new Backpacker Accommodation category and a clearer definition of all categories.
Australian Tourism Awards Winners
Category 1 - Major Tourist Attractions: Australian War Memorial (ACT)
The Australian War Memorial is visited by almost one million tourists each year. It is where we remember the 102,000 Australian men and women who have lost their lives in war.
www.awm.gov.au
Category 2 - Significant Tourist Attractions: Questacon - National Science & Technology Centre (ACT)
Questacon - The National Science and Technology Centre is the country's premier interactive science attraction. More than 300,000 people visit annually, with 700,000 seeing its traveling exhibitions.
www.questacon.edu.au
Category 3 - Major Festivals & Events: Monet & Japan, National Gallery of Australia (ACT)
Since 1982 the National Gallery of Australia has become integral to Australian cultural life. The Monet & Japan exhibition of 39 paintings was curated at the gallery in association with the Art Gallery of WA.
www.nga.gov.au
Category 4 - Significant Festivals & Events: Encounter 2002, Australian Major Events (SA)
From February to April 2002, regional communities throughout SA celebrated the bicentenary of the 1802 expeditions of Matthew Flinders and the French captain Nicolas Baudin.
www.southaustralia.com
Category 5 - Ecotourism: Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa (Qld)
Situated in the world's oldest living rainforest, Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa is one of the top 25 spas in the world. Up to 30 guests stay in first-class accommodation in the rainforest canopy.
www.daintree-ecolodge.com.au
Category 6 - Heritage and Cultural Tourism: Old Parliament House & National Portrait Gallery (ACT)
Old Parliament House is alive with exhibitions and special events. It's also home to the National Portrait Gallery, one of only four in the world and featuring Captain Cook and Kylie Minogue.
www.oph.gov.au
Category 7 - Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tourism: Anangu Tours (NT)
Anangu Tours is an Aboriginal-owned tour company based at Uluru in the NT. Tours are led by local Aboriginal people, who tell of the culture and landscape of Uluru and of their Dreamtime.
www.anangutours.com.au
Category 8 - General Tourism Services: Surf Life Saving Queensland (Qld)
Surf Life Saving Queensland is the largest volunteer community service in the State, with more than 200,000 registered members and supporters. Its lifesavers have saved 85,926 lives since 1930.
www.lifesaving.org.au
Category 9 - Meetings & Business Tourism: Burswood International Resort Casino (WA)
Burswood Convention Centre, part of the Burswood International Resort Casino, offers more than 20 venue options, catering from 21,000 people down to 10.
www.burswood.com.au
Category 10 - Tourism Retailing: Old Bus Depot Markets (ACT)
Since their inception in 1994, the Old Bus Depot Markets have provided a weekly showcase for locally produced, high-quality handcrafts and produce. They now feature about 190 stalls per week.
www.obdm.com.au
Category 11 - Major Tour & Transport Operators: Down Under Tours Australia (Qld)
Down Under Tours includes a fleet of 47 modern, luxury vehicles ranging from seven-seater 4WDs to 53-seater touring coaches, used for daily scheduled tours and specific group charters.
www.downundertours.com
Category 12 - Significant Tour & Transport Operators: Nullarbor Traveller (SA)
Nullarbor Traveller is a multi-awardwinning tour operator offering off-the-beaten-track adventures for budget travelers. The core activity is camping adventures between Adelaide and Perth.
www.the-traveller.com.au
Category 13 - Adventure Tourism: Nullarbor Traveller (SA)
Nullarbor Traveller is a multi-awardwinning tour operator offering off-the-beaten-track adventures for budget travelers. The core activity is camping adventures between Adelaide and Perth.
www.the-traveller.com.au
Category 14 - Destination Promotion: Tourism Whitsundays (Qld)
Tourism Whitsundays markets the region nationally and internationally to increase visitor numbers and length of stay for the economic benefit of the local community.
www.whitsundaytourism.com
Category 15 - Tourism Product Marketing: Federal Hotels & Resorts (Tas)
Federal Hotels & Resorts is 100% Australian owned and operates its tourism ventures in Tasmania. Recent initiatives include a new tourism strategy project and marketing of the new brand.
www.federalresorts.com.au
Category 16 - Media: GTV 9 Melbourne's Postcards (Vic)
Postcards is Channel Nine's award-winning Victorian-based travel program. Each week the team scours Victoria uncovering new things to see and do.
www.visitvictoria.com/postcards
Category 17 - Tourism Education & Training: Academy Sofitel (Vic)
Established in 1998 to raise the levels of professionalism in Australia's tourism industry, Academy Sofitel is located within the five-star Sofitel Melbourne Hotel.
www.sofitelmelbourne.com.au/careers_academy.asp
Category 18 - Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services: Jetty's Restaurant and Café (WA)
Jetty's Restaurant and Café is nestled in Hillary's Boat Harbour, Sorrento Quay. The 500-seat smorgasbord restaurant has recently been complemented by a 100-seat café.
Category 19 - Tourism Wineries: Bimbadgen Estate (NSW)
Bimbadgen Estate is a premium winery and vineyard located in the Lower Hunter Wine Country. Facilities include a cellar door area, a 110-seat fine dining restaurant and a function room.
www.bimbadgen.com.au
Category 20 - Tourist & Caravan Parks: Cairns Coconut Caravan Resort (Qld)
Set amid 28 acres of tropical landscaped gardens, Cairns Coconut Caravan Resort offers 88 units and more than 200 caravan and camping sites. www.coconut.com.au
Category 21 - Backpacker Accommodation: Glenelg Beach Resort (SA)
Glenelg Beach Resort provides backpackers and travellers with a uniquely SA tourism experience. Housed in historic Alexandra Terrace, it is a short walk from the Glenelg beach.
Category 22 - Hosted Accommodation: Adelaide Hills Country Cottages (SA)
Adelaide Hills Country Cottages consists of five luxurious getaway cottages, situated on a picturesque 100ha apple orchard, lemon grove and grazing property at Oakbank in the Adelaide Hills.
www.ahcc.com.au
Category 23 - Unique Accommodation: Undara Experience (Qld)
Undara Experience is a unique outback experience located in North Queensland, offering accommodation and tours of the Undara Lava Tubes, formed 190,000 years ago.
Category 24 - Standard Accommodation: The Hotel Y (Vic)
Located near the Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne, The Hotel Y includes 60 guest rooms with ensuite facilities, a conference centre for up to 300 people, a business centre, licensed café and gift store.
www.ywca.net
Category 25 - Deluxe Accommodation: Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa (Qld)
Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa is rated as one of the top 25 spas in the world. A maximum of 30 guests are catered for in first-class private accommodation in the rainforest canopy.
www.daintree-ecolodge.com.au
Category 26 - Luxury Accommodation: Hayman (Qld)
Situated in the Whitsunday Passage in the Great Barrier Reef and built around a sandy beachfront, five-star Hayman offers 245 guest rooms, suites and penthouses and five restaurants.
www.hayman.com.au
Category 27 - New Tourism Development: Longitude 131°, Voyages Hotels & Resorts (NT)
Longitude 131° showcases the history and culture of Central Australia, featuring 15 luxuriously appointed tented sanctuaries.
www.longitude131.com.au |
