Southern Downs’ Azjure Studio Retreat wins at Queensland Tourism Awards
Posted by editor (editor) on Nov 19 2009
2009 >>

Luxury family-owned and run Granite Belt tourism property Azjure Studio Retreat has won the Deluxe Accommodation award in the 2009 Queensland Tourism Awards, Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor announced.

Mr Lawlor said it was a tremendous effort by the property which had been a finalist in last year’s awards.

“Azjure Studio Retreat’s high level of customer service and overall commitment to excellence has seen it rightly take out the top award for Deluxe Accommodation,” he said.

“The fact that the property is a small, family-owned and run establishment is proof you don’t need to be a major operator to be named the best of the best.”

Mr Lawlor said finalists in the Deluxe Accommodation category had included Peppers Palm Bay in the Whitsundays; The Point, Brisbane; Watermark Hotel and Spa Gold Coast, and Radisson Resort, Gold Coast.

Hidden Peaks Walks, which offers luxury three and four day walks in some of the Southern Downs region’s pristine national parks, was also named a finalist in the New Tourism Development category.

“Hidden Peaks Walks is a fantastic new product that offers a unique experience in the region,” Mr Lawlor said.

He encouraged more tourism operators in the region to consider entering the awards next year.

“The Queensland Tourism Awards is all about rewarding excellence in quality and service delivery.

“Winners range from small family-owned and run operations to major hotel chains and attractions - an operator is never too big or too small to enter,” he said.

Mr Lawlor congratulated Tourism Queensland and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) for organising and hosting the 2009 Queensland Tourism Awards in such spectacular fashion.

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

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 9:54 AM