Monday 19 October 2015

TASMANIA: Tasmania Cleans Up At Tourism Awards, Winning 10 Out Of 29 Categories


Tourism operators in Tasmania have won 10 out of 29 gongs at the National Tourism Awards.

The winners were announced at a ceremony in Adelaide on Friday night.

Among Tasmania's winners was the Port Arthur Historic Site, which was declared the nation's best major tourist attraction.

The historic site's chief executive, Stephen Large, said it was the site's first national award.

"It's something we've been entering for 14 or 15 years and so we've been to a lot of national awards, to finally win one is really good," he said.

Pennicott Wilderness Journeys, which operates day trips out of Hobart to Bruny Island, won four medals.

Owner Rob Pennicott was named an Australian Tourism Legend, only the second Tasmanian to receive the title.

"Look, I'm over the moon," he said.

"I was so not expecting what happened, personally, last night."

Mr Pennicott said tourism in Tasmania is getting better every year.

"I think Tasmania has always been known for its wilderness and its heritage," he said.

"But so much in the arts and culture, with MONA [Museum of Old and New Art] and also boutique things like the walks, the golf courses, whisky, ciders, wines and the food is giving us another level that we haven't had before."

"I think it's that word-of-mouth and the promotion that is going on that is bringing more and more to Tasmania."
Tasmania 'leading the country'

Tasmania's Tourism Industry Council chief executive Luke Martin said it was an extraordinary result for the state.

"Our lead tourism operators have every right to think they're leading the country in tourism and we are well on our way to being a world-class visitor destination, which has always been our overarching goal," he said.

"We have these lead operators who are very much synonymous with the Tasmanian visitor experience and being recognised as such by the peak of the industry at a national level," said Mr Martin.

"Innovation's a critical part of it and I think when you look at who's doing well, their entire mantra has been about innovation.

"How do they contemporise their product for the new emerging markets coming to Tasmania, such as the China market?

"Those that have risen to the top are the ones I think who've captured the judges' imagination for what they're doing behind the scenes."

The State Government estimates tourism in Tasmania contributes around $2.4 billion to the state's economy each year.

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