Brisbane blitzes Queensland Tourism Awards
Posted by editor (editor) on Nov 19 2009
2009 >>

Brisbane tourism operators have set the state standard by winning more awards than any other region for the second year running at the prestigious Queensland Tourism Awards, Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor
announced.

The 2009 Queensland Tourism Awards, presented by Queensland Airports Ltd, were announced at a gala ceremony Conrad Jupiters on the Gold Coast this evening.

Brisbane’s seven winners were:

• Riverlife Mirrabooka (Indigenous Tourism Award)
• Brisbane Visitor Information and Booking Centre (Visitor Information & Services)
• RACQ – 150 Must Do’s in Queensland (The Richard Power Award for Tourism Marketing)
• Brisbane Holiday Village (Tourist and Caravan Park)
• BUNK (Backpacker Accommodation)
• Emporium Hotel (Luxury Accommodation)
• Brisbane City YHA (New Tourism Development)

“This is a fantastic result for the local industry in Brisbane, particularly in view of strong competition from across the state this year with 161 entries,” Mr Lawlor said.

“I would like to make particular mention of Riverlife Mirrabooka, the Brisbane Visitor Information and Booking Centre and the Emporium Hotel, all of whom have won back-to-back awards in their category this year.

“It’s also fantastic to see the newly-developed Brisbane City YHA win the New Tourism Development Category.

“I would also like to make a special mention for RACQ’s 150 Must Do’s in Queensland campaign which won the Richard Power Award for Tourism Marketing.

“The campaign highlighted Queensland’s top tourism attractions and did a fantastic job of creating public sense of pride and involvement in tourism in Queensland.”

Mr Lawlor said it was also encouraging to see a large number of finalists amongst the Brisbane region entrants including:
• The Workshops Rail Museum (Heritage and Cultural Tourism and Tourist Attraction)
• Stradbroke Island Holidays (Specialised Tourism Services)
• South Bank Visitor Centre (Visitor Information and Services)
• QR Passenger – The Catering Unit (Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services)

• Fishes Café (Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services)
• Brannell Homestead Bed and Breakfast (Hosted Accommodation)
• Mt Cotton Guesthouse (Hosted Accommodation)
• Scenic Rim View Cottages (Hosted Accommodation)
• The Point Brisbane (Deluxe Accommodation)
• Holiday Inn Brisbane (Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism)
• Tangalooma Island Resort (Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism)
• Mt Barney Lodge (Steve Irwin Ecotourism Award)
• QR Passenger – Queenslander Class on the Sunlander (Unique Accommodation)

Stradbroke Ferries and the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse were also awarded a Judges’ Commendation for the Major Tour and Transport Operators and Tourism Education and Training categories respectively.

“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 can also be found online at www.queenslandtourismawards.com.au

Last changed: Nov 19 2009 at 9:50 AM