Northern Territory tourism operators have scooped up four Gold Awards at the prestigious 2019 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards held at the National Convention Centre in Canberra last night.
The awards, now in their 36th year recognise the industry's hallmarks of quality and excellence in tourism experiences across several categories including cultural tourism, ecotourism, restaurants and wineries, accommodation and festivals.
In all, 76 awards were presented across 26 categories on a night that hosted over 800 attendees.
The Nitmiluk region was a clear stand-out with Nitmiluk Tours winning Gold in the Qantas Award for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism, Nitmiluk's Cicada Restaurant winning Gold for the Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services Category and the boutique Cicada Lodge rounding out Nitmiluk Tours hat trick of gold with a Gold Award for Luxury Accommodation.
Nitmiluk Tours is an Indigenous Tourism operation within Nitmiluk National Park with visitors able to cruise, fly, canoe, swim, walk, and immerse themselves in the ancient culture of the Jawoyn people.
Award winning boutique operator Venture North Safaris received a Gold Award in the Cultural Tourism category.
Nitmiluk National Park was awarded a Bronze for the Major Tourist Attraction with Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters also awarded Bronze for Deluxe Accommodation.
As noted by Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture, Lauren Moss:
"I congratulate all our finalists and winners of the 2019 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards and to win four gold awards is a fantastic feat for Territory tourism.
"It's wonderful to see so many of our 2019 Brolga Awards winners go on to achieve recognition as both finalists and winners at a national level.
"A special mention to The Jawoyn Association, joint management partners of the majestic Nitmiluk National Park, and operators of Nitmiluk Tours who were awarded the 2019 Brolga Awards highest honour, the NT Tourism Minister's Perpetual Trophy.
"The Northern Territory tourism industry is worth $2.2 billion to the economy, and supports 17,100 jobs.
"While the tourism industry is facing some tough challenges with the Australian bushfires and the coronavirus travel restrictions, the awards celebrate the inspiring leaders from our tourism industry for their commitment and hard work."
