Tasmanian West Coast tourism operators secure four gold awards

Four West Coast tourism operators have secured gold at the 2019 Tasmanian Tourism Awards. One of Tasmania's most famed tourist attractions, the West Coast Wilderness Railway has been awarded gold for best Tourism Attraction while Gordon River Cruises was awarded gold for the Tour and Transport Operator category; The Unconformity named the best festival or event; and Strahan ATV Adventures won the People's Choice award for securing consistently high online reviews and ratings. King River Rafting was awarded bronze.

The Tasmanian Tourism Awards are the premier Awards program in the Tasmanian tourism industry. The Awards are designed to encourage and recognise innovation, excellence, quality and sustainability in tourism, while providing a benchmark for industry best practice.

Coordinated by Tourism Industry Council Tasmania (TICT) each year for and on behalf of the Tasmanian tourism industry, the Tasmanian Tourism Awards form part of the prestigious Qantas Australian Tourism Awards. By winning a Tasmanian Tourism Award, the most outstanding local operators attain national recognition, automatically becoming a finalist in the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.

TICT Chief Executive Luke Martin noted that the awards "are very hard to enter and to be competitive, operators really need to be among the very elite of the industry in both their tourism and business practices.”

Martin advised that the cruise and railway were “stellar attractions” that maintained high standards and raised the bar for the whole industry.

Martin added that The Unconformity had "quickly become a stand-out feature on the Tasmanian events calendar" and was driving tourists to Queenstown and the West Coast. Martin also commented on ATV Strahan Adventures People's Choice award stating "when you consider the amazing visitor experiences we have in all corners of the state, for Strahan ATV Adventures to come out on-top really is an amazing achievement by operator Ian Hall, and the fantastic experience he gives visitors on the mighty Henty Dunes.”

Tasmanian Premier and Minister for Tourism Will Hodgman congratulated all of this year’s Tourism Awards winners “for again setting the very high benchmark that makes our tourism industry the best in the country.

“The quality of our attractions and experiences outside is what sets us apart from anywhere else, and our tourism operators are the driver behind the success of our visitor economy.”

Earlier in the year it was announced that The West Coast Wilderness Railway will undergo a major upgrade with funding of $16 million from the Tasmanian Government.

The funding will allow the replacement of 18 kms of track, upgrades to bridges to improve safety and the introduction of a fourth steam locomotive.

The money will be provided over four years as part of the 2019-20 state budget. Tasmanian Minister for Infrastructure Jeremy Rockliff advised that "the popularity of the railway has seen visitor numbers spike from 20,270 four years ago to 32,551 last year, and it is currently experiencing around 7.21% visitor growth year-on-year.

"This crucial investment will ensure the ongoing viability of the West Coast Wilderness Railway as a safe, unique, authentic, enjoyable and interactive heritage tourism icon."

Image courtesy of Visit Cradle Coast