Beach and bush strike gold at Queensland Tourism Awards

The Sunshine Coast and Outback Queensland were the big winners at last Friday’s Queensland Tourism Awards with both regions combined winning a total of 21 of the 81 categories up for grabs, including nine Gold Awards.

And as a perfect prelude to the Sunshine Coast’s hosting of the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards being held at the Sunshine Coast Convention Centre next March, two Sunshine Coast tourism operators – Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat, Montville, and Pelican Boat Hire, Noosaville, will go on to compete for national awards for their wins in the Hosted Accommodation and Tourism Retail & Hire Services categories, respectfully.

The Sunshine Coast’s other gold recipients were Mary Valley Rattler – Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer/Volunteer Group; Simon Thornalley, Saltwater Eco Tours – Young Achievers Award, and Noosa Resort – RACQ People’s Choice Award – Accommodation.

Outback Queensland’s three golden winners were Mitchell Grass Retreat – New Tourism Business; Julia Creek Caravan Park – Caravan & Holiday Parks, and Longreach Visitor Information – Visitor Information Services.

Presented at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, more than 1,100 operators and guests, including Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk were on hand to see a total of 81 Awards, including 32 Gold, 26 Silver and 23 Bronze Awards presented across 31 categories, including two RACQ People’s Choice Awards and a new Judges Award for Innovation and Resilience.

Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) Chief Executive Daniel Gschwind said the 36th annual Queensland Tourism Awards was a celebration of the outstanding success and resilience the state’s tourism operators had displayed and also offered a timely platform to showcase Queensland’s iconic Indigenous tourism experiences.

“After a pause in the Awards program last year, it is time to shake off the gloom, look forward and celebrate this great industry, its people and its future,” Mr Gschwind said.

“Returning in the Year of Indigenous Tourism, the Awards offer a platform to showcase Queensland’s world-class Indigenous tourism experiences, supporting the growth of Indigenous businesses and individuals in our industry.

“This year’s entrants, across the 31 business, event and individual categories, are a demonstration of the strength and calibre of the State’s tourism operators – all of whom have been able to adapt to the circumstances of the pandemic and continue to do great things during ongoing challenges.”

Mr Gschwind said the Awards came at a critical and exciting time, with the industry uniting and joining forces to recover and rebuild – particularly as the nation begins to open up to the world.

 In the year ending June 2021, he said, more than 20.75 million intrastate and interstate visitors flocked to the Sunshine State. In Queensland, domestic overnight visitor expenditure increased by 6.7 per cent year-on-year to $16.3 billion, on the back of visitation increasing by 1.6 per cent to 20.8 million.

“Thanks to these visitors, Queensland was one of the fastest states in its domestic recovery from COVID-19, with these results continuing to support more than 234,000 jobs across all regions of Queensland,” Mr Gschwind said.

“There is enormous pent-up demand coming from those southern states and the announcement that Queensland will open its border before Christmas gives us something to celebrate.”

Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Matt Stoeckel said that the range of winners in the Queensland Tourism Awards reflected the strength and diversity of the Sunshine Coast’s tourism sector.

“The Queensland Tourism Awards were a real triumph for Sunshine Coast tourism, not just for the winners, but for the whole industry, and now the Sunshine Coast will be in the national tourism spotlight when we host the Australian Tourism Awards next March,” Mr Stoeckel said.

“We were meant to host the gala event in 2021, but the pandemic forced a postponement. The 2022 Australian Tourism Awards event will have added importance because it will take place as Australia’s tourism sector is in full-recovery mode and will give the Sunshine Coast an opportunity to showcase our prowess at hosting major events.

“The events sector is a crucial component of the Sunshine Coast tourism economy, attracting over 360,000 visitors in 2019. We hope that hosting the Australian Tourism Awards will lead to a strong revival of the sector and highlight that the Sunshine Coast is a perfect destination for holding major events and conferences. 

“Our successful pitch for the national awards was very much a ‘Team Sunshine Coast’ effort, and I’d like to acknowledge the wholehearted support from Sunshine Coast Council, the Queensland Government, Queensland Tourism Industry Council and Sunshine Coast Airport.

“We are looking forward to hosting a memorable ‘night of nights’ for tourism’s elite performers, with some 850 attendees expected to come to the Sunshine Coast for the event. It will provide a huge injection of confidence into the region.”

The full list of award winners is as follows:

Mike Parker-Brown

Mike Parker-Brown is a UK-trained and qualified journalist and an award-winning travel communicator with more than 30 years experience.

Since 2002, Mike has worked as a freelance writer and PR consultant providing his services to major organisations in Australia and internationally in the tourism, aviation, hospitality, recruitment and export marketing sectors.

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