MEDIA RELEASE: ECOTOURISM STARS SHINE BRIGHT AT NATIONAL TOURISM AWARDS
Ecotourism Australia certified operators took home more gold awards than any state at Friday night’s Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in Canberra.
Winning almost one quarter of all awards, including over a third of gold awards, 8% of silver awards and 28% of bronze awards, these successes once again provide undisputable proof of the high calibre of ecotourism businesses across the country.
Ecotourism Australia CEO, Rod Hillman, said that these results are impressive, especially considering ecotourism operators are not even eligible for all of the awards categories.
“We see these results year on year from our operators and it’s just great to see that these businesses continue to be recognised on a national scale.
“All of them are 100% committed to not only offering outstanding visitor experiences, but also conducting their business in a way that protects people and planet for generations to come.
These are true movers and shakers in our industry, and we applaud them for their successes.”
Ecotourism and Respecting our Culture (ROC) certified Nitmiluk Tours and Cicada Lodge, who took home a record four awards on the night, three of them gold, are proud of what this means for their region’s Traditional Owners, and for the recognition of Australia’s Indigenous cultural heritage.
"The success of Nitmiluk and Cicada Lodge is based on strong relationships and partnerships within the NT and interstate - Ecotourism Australia being one of them,” said Nitmiluk’s Chief Operating Officer, Sveva Falletto.
“We are thankful to our team members [and] our board and we share these awards with all our partners. It's a team effort."
The Qantas Australian Tourism Awards were held at the National Convention Centre in Canberra on Friday night, 6 March.
Ecotourism Australia certified operators made up close to a fifth of all finalists on the night, with those awarded representing the Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia.
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For questions and comments, please contact:
Lina Cronin – Communications Manager / lina@ecotourism.org.au or 07 32566777
Ecotourism Australia certified winners – Qantas Australian Tourism Awards 2019
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Adventure Bay Charters |
Bronze - Adventure Tourism |
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Calypso Star Charters |
Gold - Tourist Attractions |
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Cobbold Gorge |
Bronze - Tourist Attractions |
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Habitat Noosa |
Gold - New Tourism Business |
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Kimberley Quest |
Gold - Tour and Transport Operators |
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Lady Elliot Island |
Silver - Ecotourism |
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Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park |
Bronze - Ecotourism |
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Nitmiluk Tours |
Bronze - Major Tourist Attractions |
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Nitmiluk Tours |
Gold - Qantas Award for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism |
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Nitmiluk Tours (Cicada Lodge) |
Gold - Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services |
|
Nitmiluk Tours (Cicada Lodge) |
Gold - Luxury Accommodation |
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Pennicott Wilderness Journeys |
Bronze - Major Tour and Transport Operators |
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Rainforestation Nature Park |
Bronze - Qantas Award for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism |
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Red Cat Adventures |
Gold - Major Tour and Transport Operators |
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Red Cat Adventures |
Silver - Adventure Tourism |
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Roaring 40s Kayaking |
Gold - Adventure Tourism |
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Tasman Venture |
Bronze - Tour and Transport Operators |
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Venture North Australia |
Gold - Cultural Tourism |