POPULAR WORDS

November 16, 2009

Brisbane tourism operators have set the state standard by winning more awards than any other region for the second year running at the prestigious Queensland Tourism Awards.

The 2009 Queensland Tourism Awards, presented by Queensland Airports, were announced at a gala ceremony Conrad Jupiters on the Gold Coast over the weekend.

Brisbane's seven winners include:

• Riverlife Mirrabooka (Indigenous Tourism Award)
  
• Brisbane Visitor Information and Booking Centre (Visitor Information & Services) (winners pictured)
  
• RACQ - 150 Must Do's in Queensland (The Richard Power Award for Tourism Marketing)
  
• Brisbane Holiday Village (Tourist and Caravan Park)
  
• BUNK (Backpacker Accommodation)
  
• Emporium Hotel (Luxury Accommodation)
  
• Brisbane City YHA (New Tourism Development)

Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor was in attendance on Friday night to congratulate all the winners and finalists on their efforts.

"This is a fantastic result for the local industry in Brisbane, particularly in view of strong competition from across the state this year with 161 entries," he says.

Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) chief executive Daniel Gschwind says the awards' 13-member judging panel was also impressed by entrants' high degree of professionalism and business acumen.

"In these tough economic times, it becomes more imperative than ever for tourism businesses to employ sound planning and rigorous self-assessment," Gschwind says.

"The awards remain one of the best tools to guide operators through this process, with business planning a key component of every entry,” he says.

All Queensland Tourism Award winners will progress to the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards to be held in Hobart on February 26, 2010.

Other Queensland businesses to take out category awards include: Australia Zoo, Daintree Discovery Centre, Peppers Spicers Peak Lodge, Hidden Valley Cabins, Rubyvale Gem Factory, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre and O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards.

For a complete list of winners and finalists, click here.