Awards season is here!

Capricorn’s finest operators compete at this year’s Queensland Tourism Awards

Top honours are up for grabs as some of Capricorn’s finest operators compete for gold at this year’s Queensland Tourism Awards, hosted by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC).

Seasoned entrant Empire Apartment Hotel and Conference Centre Rockhampton is looking to add to its collection of accolades – gold and silver in 2018, gold and silver in 2017, silver in 2016 and gold in 2015 – and are in the mix for awards in ‘Deluxe Accommodation’ and ‘Business Event Venues’ this year.

Full list of Southern Great Barrier Reef entrants below (includes Bundaberg, Capricorn and Gladstone regions)

QTIC Chief Executive Daniel Gschwind said the 35th Queensland Tourism Awards had attracted an outstanding array of Queensland’s tourism operators, with more than 200 entries received state-wide.

“This year’s entrants across 28 businesses, events and individual categories reflect the diverse and dynamic range of tourism operators helping Queensland’s tourism industry flourish.

“It is great that we continue to see a huge range of businesses enter the awards with both large and small operators from all corners of the state spanning categories like restaurants and hospitality, accommodation providers, festival organisers and so many more.

“The Queensland Tourism Awards gives us an opportunity to celebrate the effort that goes into making the Sunshine State one of Australia’s most visited regions,” Mr Gschwind said.

Tourism in Queensland has moved into the spotlight in the past year as a generator of jobs and export earnings.  International visitor expenditure reached a record high in Queensland with 2.7 million international visitors spending a record $6 billion in Queensland in the 12 months to March 2019, up 8.6 per cent on the previous year.

Mr Gschwind added, “While these numbers are certainly positive, the industry faces intense global competition for market share and Queensland must continue to focus on quality and maximise opportunities to capture the attention of first-time and returning visitors from Australia and around the world”.

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the Queensland Tourism Awards recognised the achievements of exceptional tourism operators.

“Capricorn Coast operators have once again demonstrated their significant contribution to the success of Queensland’s $25 billion tourism industry,” Ms Jones said.

“These operators not only support local jobs, but also offer a wide range of products, services and experiences that showcase our state’s unique and beautiful tourism offerings.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to championing local tourism operators and growing Queensland’s tourism industry as a whole.

“Congratulations to all Capricorn entrants and to the more than 200 nominees across the State.”

Queensland Airports Limited CEO Chris Mills congratulated Southern Great Barrier Reef award nominees for showcasing some of the most outstanding tourism industry experiences on offer for visitors to the state.

“Every year we are impressed by the quantity and quality of award submissions from tourism operators across the state – it’s clear why Queensland continues to be a destination of choice for visitors from Australia and overseas,” he said.

“We look forward to celebrating the achievements of entrants and winners at this year’s Queensland Tourism Awards, which marks our twelfth year as presenting partner.”

Introduced in 2017, the RACQ People’s Choice Award will again provide the public with the opportunity to have their say and vote for their favourite tourism experience and service, or accommodation provider. Voting for the RACQ People’s Choice awards is open from 26 August via www.RACQ.com.au/peopleschoice.

Gold, Silver and Bronze winners from the 28 Queensland Tourism Awards categories and the RACQ People’s Choice Award will be announced on Friday 8 November 2019 at Novotel Twin Waters Resort, Sunshine Coast.

Queensland’s Gold Award winners from categories 1-25 will gain automatic entry into the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.

First time nominees are encouraged to make use of QTIC’s entrant support services via www.queenslandtourismawards.com.au/support-for-entrants.

2019 Queensland Tourism Award Entrants – Southern Great Barrier Reef region

·         Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort

·         Rockhampton Regional Council

·         Empire Apartment Hotel Rockhampton

·         Bundaberg Rum Visitor Experience

·         Lady Musgrave Experience

·         1770 Reef Great Barrier Reef Eco Tours

·         Gladstone Airport Corporation

·         The Windmill Cafe Bargara

·         Mercure Gladstone