QUEENSLAND'S $23 billion tourism industry applauded its dedicated
individuals and caravan park operators at this year's Queensland Tourism
Awards.
Hosted by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, the event attracted
around 160 entries from across the state.
A total of 72 awards, including 24 Gold, 23 Silver, 20 Bronze and five
individual awards across 28
categories, were presented at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition
Centre.
BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort scooped a Gold award in the caravan and
holiday parks category and will now represent the state in the national
finals in Darwin next February.
Silver went to NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Park while Killarney View
Cabins and Caravan Park won Bronze.
Tourism operators in tropical North Queensland walked away with 14 awards,
while those in Brisbane,
the Gold Coast and the Whitsundays each collected 12 awards. Eight gongs
were snared by tourist operators in the Sunshine State's outback.
Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive Daniel Gschwind paid
tribute to the "outstanding array of tourism operators" who had competed.
"I applaud the winners of our 28 business, event and individual
categories," he said.
"These dedicated operators and their staff have shown the true spirit of
our vibrant tourism industry."
He described the winners as "industry champions", explaining that
it was
their passion and innovative drive that made the industry what it was
today.
"With that kind of commitment our tourism industry will continue to go
from strength to strength," he added.
Tourism Minister Kate Jones said the awards recognised excellence in
Queensland's growing tourism industry.
"The Queensland tourism industry is booming thanks to tourism operators
who deliver the products and experiences that keep our visitors coming
back for more," she said.
2016 Queensland Tourism Award Winners
Major Tourist Attractions
Gold - Australian Age of Dinosaurs
Silver - Australia Zoo
Bronze - Mossman Gorge Centre
Tourist Attractions
Gold - Cobbold Gorge Tours
Silver - Capricorn Caves
Bronze - Sarina Sugar Shed
Major Festivals and Events
Gold - Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers
Silver - Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival
Bronze - World Science Festival Brisbane 2016
Festivals and Events
Gold - Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo
Silver - BroaFestivals and Eventsdbeach Country Music Festival
Bronze - Noosa Food & Wine Festival
The Steve Irwin Award for Ecotourism
Gold - Fun Over Fifty
Silver - Tall Ship Adventures
Bronze - Ocean Safari
Cultural Tourism
Gold - Kinnon & Co
Silver - Mossman Gorge Centre
Qantas Award for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism
Gold - Mossman Gorge Centre
Specialised Tourism Services
Gold - Tourism Lounge at Harbour Town Outlet Shopping Centre Gold Coast
Silver - Fun Over Fifty
Bronze - Small World Journeys
Visitor Information and Services
Gold - Hervey Bay Visitor Information Centre
Silver - Wirrarri Visitors Centre, Birdsville
Bronze - Kuranda Visitor Information Centre
Business Event Venues
Silver - Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
Major Tour and/or Transport Opertorsa
Gold - Ocean Rafting
Silver - Cruise Whitsundays
Bronze - Reef Magic Cruises
Tour and/or Transport Operators
Gold - Fun Over Fifty Pty Ltd
Silver - Whitsunday Jetski Tours
Bronze - Outback Aussie Tours
Adventure Tourism
Gold - Tangatours
Silver - Reef Magic Cruises
Bronze - Whitsunday Jetski Tours
Destination Marketing
Gold - Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism
Silver - Tourism Noosa
Bronze - Southern Great Barrier Reef
Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services
Gold - Ochre Restaurant & Catering
Bronze - O'Reilly's Canungra Valley Vineyards
Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries
Gold - Sarina Sugar Shed
Silver - O'Reilly's Canungra Valley Vineyards
Caravan and Holiday Parks
Gold - BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort
Silver - NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Park
Bronze - Killarney View Cabins and Caravan park
Hosted Accommodation
Gold - Cobbold Village
Silver - Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat
Bronze - Adels Grove Camping Park
Unique Accommodation
Gold - Cruise Whitsundays - Reefsleep
Silver - Whitsunday Escape Bareboat Holidays
Bronze - Cumberland Charter Yachts
Self-Contained Accommodation
Gold - Pinnacles Resort
Silver - O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat
Standard Accommodation
Gold - Ibis Mackay
Silver - Grand Hotel and Apartments Townsville
Bronze - Cape Trib Beach House
Deluxe Accommodation
Gold - NEXT Hotel Brisbane
Silver - Empire Apartment Hotel Rockhampton
Bronze - Mirage Whitsundays
Luxury Accommodation
Gold - RACV Royal Pines Resort
Silver - Spicers Peak Lodge
Bronze - Pullman Palm Cove Sea Temple Resort & Spa
New Tourism Business
Silver - iFLY Gold Coast
Bronze - ibis Styles Brisbane Elizabeth Street
Excellence in Food Tourism
Gold - Sarina Sugar Shed
Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer or Volunteer Group
Gold - Moreton Bay Region - Tourism and Events Volunteers
Silver - Brisbane Greeters
Bronze - Townsville Enterprise Welcome Program Volunteers
Young Achievers Award
Gold - Nikki Dudley of Nikki Dudley Freelancing
The Marie Watson-Blake Award for Outstanding Contribution by an
Individual
Gold - Oatley Family.
