Australia Zoo makes the tourism Hall of Fame
Posted by editor (editor) on Nov 19 2009
2009 >>

Australia Zoo has joined the lauded ranks of tourism’s Hall of Fame after winning a third back-to-back award at this year’s Queensland Tourism Awards, Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor announced.

The Sunshine Coast-based Australia Zoo took out the award for the state’s best Major Tourist Attraction for the third year running, automatically placing the zoo into the ranks of Queensland’s Tourism Hall of Fame.

The zoo was also named a finalist in the Specialised Tourism Services Category.

“Australia Zoo is one of Australia’s, if not the world’s, best loved tourist attractions and brings thousands of visitors through its gates each year,” Mr Lawlor said.

“In addition to being a first-class tourist attraction, Australia Zoo’s excellent work in the areas of conservation and in raising environmental awareness means it is well-deserved to be inducted into Queensland’s Tourism Hall of Fame.”

Mr Lawlor said Noosa-based The Discovery Group also took out the award for Tour and/or Transport Operator for the second year running.

“The Discovery Group is a fantastic family-owned tourism business that has grown from strength-to-strength and offers a fabulous range of personalised tours into some of the Sunshine Coast’s most beautiful natural areas,” he said.

Mr Lawlor said eight Sunshine Coast operators also made the finalist list including:

• UnderWater World (Tourist Attractions)
• Queensland Home and Garden Expo (Festivals and Events)
• Australia Zoo (Specialised Tourism Services)
• Noosa Visitor Information Centre (Visitor Information and Services)
• Equathon Horseriding Tours (Adventure Tourism)
• UnderWater World – TMNT – A Turtley Awesome Shellebration (The Richard Power Award for Tourism Marketing)
• The Narrows Escape (Hosted Accommodation)
• IGA Coolum Kite Festival (Festivals and Events)
• TRAC Consulting (Tourism Education and Training)


“I congratulate Tourism Queensland and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) for organising and hosting the 2009 Queensland Tourism Awards in such spectacular fashion,” Mr Lawlor said.

“A thank you must also go to our awards’ platinum sponsor Queensland Airports Limited for its generous support.”

QTIC chief executive Daniel Gschwind said the awards' 13-member judging panel was impressed by entrants' high degree of professionalism and business acumen.

"In these tough economic times, it becomes more imperative than ever for tourism businesses to employ sound planning and rigorous self-assessment," Mr Gschwind said.

"The Awards remain one of the best tools to guide operators through this process, with business planning a key component of every entry.

"Competition was as strong as ever this year and the incredible turn-out at this year’s awards ceremony is a great indication of our industry’s passion for and confidence in tourism in Queensland.”

All Queensland Tourism Award winners will progress to the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards to be held in Hobart on 26 February, 2010.

A full list of winners and finalists is attached and will be online from early next week at www.queenslandtourismawards.com.au

Last changed: Nov 19 2009 at 9:53 AM