Townsville scores three state tourism gongs
Posted by editor (editor) on Nov 19 2009
2009 >>

North Queensland tourism operators Hidden Valley Cabins and Noorla Heritage Resort have taken out the top honours in their categories at this year’s Queensland Tourism Awards, Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor announced this evening.

Hidden Valley Cabins won the Hosted Accommodation Award while Noorla Heritage Resort took out the award for Best Standard Accommodation for the third year running, automatically placing it into the Tourism Hall of Fame.

Reef HQ Volunteers was also awarded for Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer or Volunteer Group at the gala ceremony on the Gold Coast.

“This is a fantastic result for the Townsville region, particularly for Noorla Heritage Resort in Hinchinbrook Shire which has joined the ranks of Queensland’s tourism Hall of Fame after winning three back-to-back awards,” Mr Lawlor said.

“It’s also fantastic to see Hidden Valley Cabins won their category of Hosted Accommodation after being a finalist last year.

“As Australia’s first fully carbon neutral tourism property, Hidden Valley Cabins is a true Queensland tourism success story.”

Mr Lawlor also paid tribute to the Reef HQ volunteers.

“Volunteers are the face of our tourism industry and are often the first local a visitor meets,” he said.

“Their local knowledge is unsurpassed and the friendly advice and tips they provide can often make a visitor’s experience and memories.

“Congratulations to all of the Reef HQ volunteers without whom Reef HQ would not be able to operate as successfully as it does.”

Mr Lawlor said it was also encouraging to see a number of Townsville operators amongst the finalists including:
• Reef HQ Aquarium (Tourist Attractions)
• Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Week 2009 (Festivals and Events)
• Tyto Wetlands Visitor Information Centre (Visitor Information and Services)
• Cardwell Rainforest and Reef Visitor Information Centre (Visitor Information and Services)
• Sunferries (Major Tour and/or Transport Operator)
• Sunferries Travel – Head East campaign (The Richard Power Award for Tourism Marketing)
• James Cook University (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 10:00 AM