Queensland tourism operators have taken out six of the most coveted categories at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor said.
One Brisbane, two Tropical North Queensland based and two Townsville based operators took out their categories while tourism industry identity Stephen Gregg, won the award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual.
"The Brisbane Visitor Information and Booking Centre won the Visitor Information Services category as Australia's top visitor information centre while Tropical North Queensland-based Great Barrier Reef tour operator Passions of Paradise took out the Adventure Tourism Award," Mr Lawlor said.
"Passions of Paradise has grown from strength-to-strength and received two awards in the 2009 Queensland Tourism Awards - for Adventure Tourism and Major Tour and/or Transport Operator category, plus an induction into the Tourism Hall of Fame.
"To add a national award to their list of accolades firmly places Passions of Paradise amongst the best of the best."
Mr Lawlor said Tropical North Queensland's Skyrail Rainforest Cableway took out the Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism while Townsville's Hidden Valley Cabins won for Hosted Accommodation and Noorla Heritage Resort won the Standard Accommodation category.
"Skyrail exemplifies how a tourism business can minimise its environmental impact, respect local cultures and benefit local communities while delivering a world-class experience for visitors," Mr Lawlor said.
"Hidden Valley Cabins is a family-run operation and to beat out some of the larger products that often have the backing of a major chain is a real credit to them," Mr Lawlor said.
"Likewise, Noorla Heritage Resort which last year joined the ranks of Queensland's Tourism Hall of Fame after winning three back-to-back state awards is proof that you don't have to be a big player to win at the national level ."
Mr Lawlor said few in Australia's tourism industry would be surprised that Stephen Gregg had received the award for Most Outstanding Contribution by an Individual.
"Stephen Gregg is the CEO of North Queensland Airports, is the Chair of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council and Cooperative Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism, and a director of both the Queensland Events Corporation and Tourism Tropical North Queensland," Mr Lawlor said.
"With more than three decades' experience in the tourism industry, including as a former CEO of Tourism Queensland and of Macquarie Leisure Operations Ltd, Stephen Gregg has long been a champion of Queensland's tourism industry.
"He is a worthy recipient of this award and the entire Queensland tourism industry can be proud of his achievements."
Mr Lawlor said the Julia Creek Dirt and Dust Festival also received a Highly Commended for its category of Festivals and Events.
"Around 222,000 Queenslanders depend on tourism for their livelihood and I am extremely proud of Queensland's performance in the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards," he said.
"2009 was a tough year for many operators so it's fantastic to see Queensland take out six of the 27 awards, particularly in what are some of the most hotly contended categories.
"I would like to congratulate the winners and wish them and all of the other Queensland finalists a prosperous 2010."
