Champions of Australia’s Tourism Industry Revealed

Australia’s champions of tourism have again been recognised for excellence and commitment across all sectors of the industry at the annual Australian Tourism Awards, held on the Gold Coast on Friday evening.

More than 900 key industry operators, State and Federal Government Ministers, heads of State tourism authorities and industry leaders from across the country gathered at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre for the awards ceremony, where the winners of 27 categories were announced.

Finalists in the Australian Tourism Awards were drawn from State and Territory Tourism Awards in the same category held throughout 2005. The Awards were adjudicated by a national judging panel of 24 leading industry figures.

Some of the highlights of the night included Sovereign Hill (VIC), the living museum that captures the gold rush of Ballarat taking out the Major Tourist Attraction award, Clipsal 500 Adelaide (SA), Australia’s largest motor sport festival, taking out the Major Festivals and Events category and Questacon National Science and Technology Centre (ACT) picking up the Significant Tourist Attraction for the second year running.

Special awards were also presented to four operators who were inducted into the Hall of Fame for winning their category for three consecutive years. These included Kooljaman at Cape Leveque, Western Australia; Murraylands Tourism Marketing, South Australia; Yering Station, Victoria, Ashmore Palms Holiday Village, Queensland and a presentation from last year to the Old Bus Depot Markets (ACT) in the category of Tourism Retailing.

Steve Irwin, Australian icon and owner of the Queensland Wildlife Park, Australia Zoo, was recognised for his outstanding contribution to the Australian tourism industry with a special award from Tourism Australia – “Services to Inbound Tourism”, presented by Minister for Small Business and Tourism, Fran Bailey. Over the past decade, Steve Irwin has played an instrumental role in promoting Australia in key markets helping put Australia in the international tourism spotlight.

In applauding the winners and finalists at the event the Minister for Small Business and Tourism, Fran Bailey said the continuing development and recognition of the Australian tourism industry is essential to ensuring its sustainable growth.

“The champions of the Australian tourism industry, from regional operators to those in our cities, have been rightfully recognised tonight. I congratulate all of the winners and finalists for their entrepreneurial skills and dedication to building our $73 billion industry.

In its first year of taking ownership for the organisation of the Awards, Chairman of the National Tourism Alliance Col Hughes paid tribute to the strong support lent by Tourism Australia , Qantas, State Government tourism authorities and other key sponsors.

“We are pleased to acknowledge the professionalism of the industry and the promotion of best practice. We look forward to continuing to support the Awards and further showcasing the best the Australian tourism industry has to offer,” said Hughes.

Minister Fran Bailey with Tim Fischer, CEO of Tourism Australia and Col Hughes, Chariman of National Tourism Alliance