Australasia's zoos feature in tourism and business awards

Australia and New Zealand's Zoos and Aquarium Association (ZAA) has welcomed a number of its accredited zoos having been showcased for their excellence as finalists and winners across state and local tourism and business awards.

In the South Australian Tourism Awards for 2021, Adelaide Zoo was named winner of the Major Tourist Attractions award for the fourth time, and the won the Premier's Award for Service Excellence.

Zoos SA’s Monarto Safari Park also won the Voters' Choice Tourism Award for the Experience and Service category, and silver in the Tourist Attractions award.

Each will go on to represent South Australia at the Australian Tourism Awards early next year.

The Australian Reptile Park in NSW also took home four awards from the 2021 Central Coast Business Awards including: Outstanding Employee - Zac Bower; Outstanding Business Leader - Tim Faulkner; Excellence in Business - Australian Reptile Park; and Outstanding Young Business Leader - Amanda Woodbine.

The Taronga Conservation Society Australia is a three-time finalist in the 2021 NSW Tourism Awards with Taronga Western Plains Zoo a finalist in the Major Attraction category, while Dubbo’s Zoofari Lodge and Sydney’s Wildlife Retreat are both finalists in the Unique Accommodation category.

After receiving the ZAA Conservation Award for their National Kiwi Hatchery in August, Rainbow Springs were excited to also become a finalist in the Tourism Industry Aotearoa Conservation Award. The Conservation Award is sponsored by the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) and recognises a tourism business that embraces guardianship and protection of the natural, built and cultural resources for the benefit of current and future generations.

Wellington Zoo was alos honoured to have won the Toitū Envirocare Environment Award at the New Zealand Tourism Awards 2021.

Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park has also been announced as a finalist for Ecotourism in the Victorian Tourism Awards.

This category recognises ecologically sustainable tourism businesses with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas and entrants foster environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation.

ZAA partner Advanced Aquarium Technologies was also a winner in three categories at the 2021 Sunshine Coast Business Awards.

Image: Adelaide Zoo Behind the Scenes Experience - Panda and Friends Tour.