Tourism Queensland bags top tourism award three years running
Posted by editor (editor) on Aug 25 2009
2009 >>

Tourism Queensland was named the Best State Tourism Organisation by the Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW) for the third year in row, Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor said today.

Mr Lawlor said it was fantastic for Tourism Queensland to be acknowledged with such a highly regarded tourism industry award and added to the organisation’s growing list of awards this year.

“Tourism Queensland recently won a world record number of prestigious Cannes Lions Awards won for the Best Job in the World campaign, as well as being named the Australian Federation of Travel Agents’ Best National Tourism Office last month,” Mr Lawlor said.

“This award further recognises the skills and outstanding work of the people at Tourism Queensland.

"Announced at awards ceremony in Bangkok over the weekend, the ASTW award highlights Tourism Queensland’s extensive work over the past 12 months with travel writers from around the world, earning great media exposure for Queensland’s destinations and experiences.”

Tourism Queensland CEO Anthony Hayes said the ASTW Awards were nominated and determined by ASTW travel writers on the basis of who they believe provided the best and most professional service.

“Acknowledgment from our industry peers is one of the greatest honours any organisation can receive,” Mr Hayes said.

“To be named the leading state tourism organisation for the third year running, especially during a very tough time for the industry is a fantastic achievement and we couldn’t be happier.

“This has been a successful year for Tourism Queensland, with the Best Job in the World campaign alone conservatively estimated to have generated $330 million in global publicity for Queensland to date – that’s an amazing return on a $2.5 million investment.”
Mr Lawlor said visitors to Queensland in the 12 months ending March 2009 spent $18.8 billion and directly supported 119,000 Queensland jobs and a further 97,000 indirectly.

“A big thank you to the hard working staff at Tourism Queensland, whose enthusiasm and dedication to selling our state supports and helps protects our tourism industry during these difficult times,” he said.

“Their passion and commitment has once again made Tourism Queensland the top state tourism organisation in Australia.”

The Australian Society of Travel Writers is a non-profit organisation of journalists and public relations professionals dedicated to reporting and promoting the travel industry.

Last changed: Oct 06 2009 at 4:23 PM