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Australian tourism operators have celebrated their achievements at the industry’s Big Event – the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards (QATAs), held on Friday 27 February at Crown Melbourne.
Winners were drawn from 27 categories covering the many sectors of the diverse tourism industry. Two new categories were judged his year – the Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism and an Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual – in the national arena.
Rob Gurney, Group General Manager Sales and Distribution, Qantas congratulated Skyrail Rainforest Cableway the winner of the Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism. “Skyrail shows leadership in its contribution to improving local environmental conditions through sustainable construction, revegetation, and the Sky Rail Rainforest Foundation. It is a complete rainforest experience.”
The national Outstanding Contribution Award was won by Laurie O’Meara from Western Australia. Laurie has been the driving force and champion of the Australian Tourism Accreditation program, which provided consistency in service and the types of tourism products offered to visitors.
Some of the other highlights of the evening included wins to Australia Zoo for major tourist attraction, Adelaide’s Clipsal 500 won the major festival and event award and the Tasmania’s Maria Island Walk adventure tourism. A full list of winners is attached.
Over 900 industry leaders attended the event, with a crowd including state and territory tourism ministers and Federal Minister for Tourism Martin Ferguson.
The awards are organised annually by the National Tourism Alliance (NTA) on behalf of the Australian tourism industry.
“The evening was the high point in a difficult year in Australian tourism,” said National Tourism Alliance chairman Col Hughes. “Each award winner has shown outstanding achievement and represents the best of what our passionate industry has to offer.”
The night was hosted by Richard Wilkins, a man synonymous with the world of entertainment and Craig Willis, the "voice of tennis".
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