Tourism's Best Honoured

Australian tourism operators have celebrated their achievements at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.

Winners were drawn from 27 categories covering the many sectors of the diverse tourism industry. Two new categories were judged in 2008, the Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism and an Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual.

Rob Gurney, Group General Manager Sales and Distribution, Qantas congratulated Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, the inaugural winner of the Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism, stating "our award was designed to recognise and encourage Australian tourism operators to minimise their impact on the local environment, respect local culture and provide benefits to local communities.

"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.

O'Meara 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.

There were two Hall of Fame winners - Fun4Kids from Victoria for Festivals and Events and Quicksilver Group in Queensland for Major Tour and/or Transport Operator.

Some of the other highlights of the evening included wins to Australia Zoo for major tourist attraction, Adelaide's 2008 Clipsal 500 for major festival and events and Tasmania's Maria Island Walk for adventure tourism.

Over 800 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.

National Tourism Alliance Chairman Col Hughes commented "the evening was the high point in a difficult year in Australian tourism.

"Each award winner has shown outstanding achievement and represents the best of what our passionate industry has to offer."

Qantas, along with other sponsors, Tourism Australia, Tourism Victoria, Crown Melbourne, Weekend Australian Magazine, AAA Tourism, Hostplus, KPMG, Datatrax Tourism Touchscreens, Destination Melbourne, Skybus, Preece and Lion Nathan, generously supported the Awards.

For information contact Nicole Sheridan at the National Tourism Alliance on 0411 114 176, E: nicole@tourismalliance.org, www.tourismalliance.org/tourismalliance/TourismAwards.html

Image: Cairns Skyrail.