Media Releases

Three Tasmanian tourism businesses have been judged the best in Australia at the 2009 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, announced at a gala ceremony in Hobart last night.

Tourism Tasmania CEO Felicia Mariani congratulated Bruny Island Cruises, Pure Tasmania and Avalon Coastal Retreat on achieving national success in their respective categories at the prestigious awards, attended by more than 800 tourism industry leaders.

"Pennicott Wilderness Journeys has added yet another award to its already impressive list of accolades, taking out the Ecotourism category for its flagship experience Bruny Island Cruises,” said Ms Mariani.

"Named by Travel + Leisure magazine as one the ‘Greatest 100 Trips in the World’, Bruny Island Cruises realised the tourism potential of Bruny Island and is making a genuine commitment to conserving the Tasmanian coastal wilderness, establishing the Tasmanian Coast Conservation Fund and contributing $65,000 to the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service,” she said.

Ms Mariani commended Pure Tasmania for taking out the Tourism Marketing award.

"With a portfolio including Gordon River Cruises, Freycinet Lodge, Henry Jones Art Hotel and the Wilderness Gallery at Cradle Mountain, Pure Tasmania has been hugely successful in creating a strong Tasmanian brand and positioning its tourism products and must-do tourism experiences,” she said.

Tasmania’s third award winner was Avalon Coastal Retreat near Swansea, which took out the Deluxe Accommodation award – an award another Tasmanian business, the Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel, won last year.

"Avalon Coastal Retreat offers the ultimate in luxury and location, an architecturally stunning private retreat perched on a cliff-top overlooking Great Oyster Bay and the Freycinet Peninsula."

"For a Tasmanian accommodation business to yet again be recognised as the best deluxe accommodation in the country is a huge honour and a testament to the extremely high standards our industry is reaching,” she said.

The Qantas Australian Tourism Awards is the pinnacle of achievement for the tourism industry across Australia, with finalists drawn from the state and territory tourism award winners across 27 categories including attractions, tour and transport operators, accommodation, events and new tourism development.

Ms Mariani said that for Tasmania to have three tourism businesses honoured in this national arena of excellence is significant.

"Tasmania’s tourism operators do us proud through their commitment to excellence and to delivering world-class visitor experiences."

"Tourism Tasmania is committed to supporting and fostering excellence in Tasmanian tourism and will continue to partner with industry to ensure Tasmania continues to grow its reputation as a must-visit holiday destination,” said Ms Mariani.

 

Media Contacts
Sonia Rendigs
Phone: 03 9836 2167
Email: sonia@mediamoguls.com.au

Caryn Ng
Tel: (03) 9836 2167 ext.6
Mobile: 0488 664 857
Email: caryn@mediamoguls.com.au

For more information, visit www.discovertasmania.com.