AusLeisure

Over 700 tourism industry representatives celebrated the industry excellence last 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.

Gschwind stated “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.”

Federal Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Steven Ciobo said the awards were a great showcase of the skill within the industry, stating “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.

Minister Ciobo added “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.”

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.

Major Tourist Attractions
Gold: Kakadu National Park, Northern Territiry
Silver: Sovereign Hill, Victoria
Bronze: The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, NSW

Tourist Attractions
Gold: Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre, ACT
Silver: Calypso Star Charters, South Australia
Bronze: Sealy Lookout, Orara East State Forest, NSW

Major Festivals and Events
Gold: Toowoomba Carnival Of Flowers, Queensland
Silver: The 28th Annual Byron Bay Bluesfest 2017, NSW
Bronze: Santos Tour Down Under, South Australia

Festivals and Events
Gold: Riverboats Music Festival, Victoria
Silver: Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo, Queensland 
Bronze: The Unconformity, Tasmania

Ecotourism
Gold: Tasmanian Walking Company
Silver: Murray River Walk, South Australia
Bronze: Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, Queensland

Cultural Tourism
Gold: Fremantle Prison, Western Australia
Silver: Port Arthur Historic Site, Tasmania
Bronze: Venture North Australia, Northern Territory

Qantas Award for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tourism
Gold: Sand Dune Adventures, NSW
Silver: Kooljaman at Cape Leveque, Western Australia
Bronze: Nitmiluk Tours, Northern Territory

Specialised Tourism Services
Gold: Parks Victoria
Silver: RiverFly 1864, Tasmania
Bronze: Sightseeing Pass Australia, Western Australia

Visitor Information Services
Gold: Swan Valley Visitor Centre, Western Australia
Silver: Alice Springs Visitor Information Centre, Northern Territory
Bronze: Sea Acres Rainforest Centre, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

Business Event Venues
Gold: Adelaide Hills Convention Centre, South Australia
Silver: Holmesglen at Eildon, Victoria
Bronze: Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough, Western Australia

Major Tour and Transport Operators
Gold: Ocean Rafting, Queensland
Silver: Aviair, Western Australia
Bronze: SkyBus, Victoria

Tour and Transport Operators
Gold: The Maria Island Walk, Tasmania
Silver: Fun Over Fifty, Queensland 
Bronze: Autopia Tours - Small Group Experiences, Victoria

Adventure Tourism
Gold: Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures, Western Australia
Silver: Roaring 40s Kayaking, Tasmania
Bronze: Calypso Star Charters, South Australia

Destination Marketing
Gold: The Epic Pilbara – Australia’s North West, Western Australia 
Silver: Pie Time' - Southern Highlands, ACT
Bronze: Mudgee Region Tourism - Let's Skip Town Together Campaign

Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services
Gold: Royal Mail Hotel, Dunkeld, Victoria
Silver: Margan Winery & Restaurant, NSW
Bronze: Altitude Restaurant + Lounge Bar, Tasmania

Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries
Gold: Sandalford Wines, Western Australia
Silver: Bright Brewery, Victoria
Bronze: Cupitt, NSW

Caravan & Holiday Parks
Gold: BIG4 Deniliquin Holiday Park, NSW
Silver: RAC Cervantes Holiday Park, Western Australia
Bronze: BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort, Queensland

Hosted Accommodation
Gold: The Beach House at Bayside, Western Australia
Silver: Cobbold Village, Queensland
Bronze: Mulberry Lodge Country Retreat, South Australia

Unique Accommodation
Gold: Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures - The Horizontal Hotel, Western Australia
Silver: Cumberland Charter Yachts, Queensland
Bronze: Pumphouse Point, Tasmania

Self Contained Accommodation
Gold: The Frames, South Australia
Silver: Avalon Coastal Retreat, Tasmania
Bronze: RACV Noosa Resort, Queensland

Standard Accommodation
Gold: Grand Hotel and Apartments Townsville, Queensland
Silver: Moama on Murray Resort, NSW
Bronze: Marree Hotel, South Australia

Deluxe Accommodation
Gold: Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters, Northern Territory
Silver: Yondah Beach House, South Australia
Bronze: The Henry Jones Art Hotel, Tasmania

Luxury Accommodation
Gold: Saffire-Freycinet, Tasmania
Silver: Cicada Lodge, Northern Territory
Bronze: Hyatt Hotel Canberra - A Park Hyatt Hotel, ACT

New Tourism Business
Gold: Swan River Seaplanes, Western Australia
Silver: MACq 01 Hotel, Tasmania
Bronze: Arthurs Seat Eagle, Victoria

Excellence in Food Tourism
Gold: Margan Winery & Restaurant, NSW
Silver: Two Feet & a Heartbeat, Western Australia
Bronze: Barossa Valley Cheese Company, South Australia

Images: Kakadu National Park, winner of the Gold Major Tourist Attractions (top), Paul Hogan was named an Australian tourism 'legend' (middle) and Parks Victoria executives with their Specialised Tourism Services Gold Award (below).

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