Noosa’s tourism and hospitality providers have been recognised with multiple top placings at the Queensland Tourism Awards 2022.
After a bounce-back year, more than 1000 tourism operators and individuals from around the state came together for the 2022 Queensland Tourism Awards at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre last Friday night.
RACV Noosa Resort scooped up two prestigious awards, once again taking out the RACQ People’s Choice Awards – Accommodation, as well as gold in the Self Contained Accommodation category.
Creative Tours and Events won gold for Excellence in Food Tourism, and Noosaville landmark Pelican Boat Hire won gold in the Tourism Retail and Hire Services Award.
Sunshine Beach destination restaurant Humble on Duke won silver for the Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services award, while the Noosa Visitor Information Centre won silver in the Visitor Information Services category.
Beyond Noosa, Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort won the Steve Irwin Award for Ecotourism, while Australia Zoo won bronze for the Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer or Volunteer Group award, Montville’s Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat took silver in the Hosted Accommodation category, and Amaze World won bronze in the Tourist Attractions category.
Lady Musgrave Experience took home two awards, with silver in the Unique Accommodation category, and bronze in the Steve Irwin Award for Ecotourism.
Tourism Noosa Acting chief executive officer Susan Ewington said it was testament to the strength of the local tourism industry that there were so many Noosa businesses among the top placings.
“We are so pleased to see so many of our local operators being recognised for the outstanding contribution they make to the tourism and hospitality sector in the Noosa region.”
“It is wonderful to see our very own Noosa Information Centre win silver. This is a great acknowledgement of the wonderful efforts our team of volunteers do in welcoming visitors to Noosa.
“We extend our sincere congratulations to all of the award recipients and recognise the hard work that has gone into receiving this well-deserved recognition at Queensland’s largest industry awards.“
Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) chief executive officer Brett Fraser said this year’s recipients were a testament to the strength and calibre of the state’s tourism operators.
“I applaud this great industry and its people for the innovation and resilience they have displayed,” he said.
Queensland recorded its highest ever intrastate visitor rate, noting a 21.5 per cent increase totalling $12.4 billion.
It’s special to be able to celebrate Queenslanders supporting Queenslanders at this year’s awards after what has been a tumultuous couple of years for the industry,” Mr Fraser said.
“The past two years have redefined how people live, work and travel, and the intrastate tourism we
are experiencing is directly correlated to this. But this exponential growth doesn’t come without major challenges for our operators who continue to battle with a lack of workforce.“
Queensland Airports chief executive officer Amelia Evans said this past year has been a mix of recovery and rebuilding for Queensland Airports Limited and the entire Queensland tourism industry.
“It’s so pleasing to be able to bring the industry together again after the challenges over the Covid-19 impacted period, in which the aviation and tourism industries were hit hard, following by a period of passenger numbers rapidly rebuilding,“ she said.
Sunshine Coast Award winners:
– Tourism Retail and Hire Service: First – Pelican Boat Hire.
– Visitor Information and Services: Second – Noosa Visitor Information Centre.
– Tourism Restaurants and catering services: Second – Humble on Duke.
– Hosted accommodation: First – Bli Bli House Luxury Accommodation.
– Second – Narrows Retreat Rainforest Retreat.
– Self-contained accommodation: First – RACV Noosa Resort.
– People’s Choice award – accommodation: First RACV Noosa Resort.
– Excellence in Food Tourism: First – Creative Tours and Events.
– Outstanding contribution by a volunteer or volunteer group: First – Australia Zoo.
