Western Australia's tourism industry received a huge boost last night, winning 12 medals at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards on the Sunshine Coast.
The awards - including three gold medals - recognised the wide variety of excellent tourism experiences right across the State.
The three major winners were Live Ningaloo for Ecotourism, Fremantle Prison for Cultural Tourism and Tree Chalets in Busselton for Self Contained Accommodation.
The awards were held in Maroochydore in Queensland following a meeting of the Federal and State Tourism Ministers.
The McGowan Government through Tourism Western Australia will next week rapidly expand the successful Wander Out Yonder local campaign with a $12 million multimedia strategy on the east coast across television, digital, print, outdoor, radio and social media.
This is part of the $195 million Reconnect WA package to attract tourists, workers, students, events and investment in Western Australia.
The WA awards winners in the 25 categories at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards were:
Gold
Live Ningaloo - Ecotourism
Fremantle Prison - Cultural Tourism
Tree Chalets - Self Contained Accommodation
Silver
WAITOC Postcards from our Backyard - Tourism Marketing and Campaigns
The Hike Collective - Tour and Transport Operators
CinefestOz - Festivals and Events
Pullman Bunker Bay Resort - 5 Star Accommodation
Bronze
Go Cultural - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism
Skydive Geronimo Rottnest - Adventure Tourism
Kimberleyland Waterfront Holiday Park - Caravan and Holiday Parks
Two Feet and a Heartbeat - Excellence in Food Tourism
Surfpoint Resort - 3-3.5 Star Accommodation
As stated by Tourism Minister Roger Cook:
"My heartiest congratulations to all the WA winners at last night's Australian Tourism Awards.
"What was really pleasing to see was how well represented WA was across so many different areas and tourism experiences, from walking tours to luxury resorts.
"This included Kimberleyland Waterfront Holiday Park in the far north down to Pullman Bunker Bay Resort, CinefestOz, Surfpoint Resort and Tree Chalets in the south-west.
"I've said before that Aboriginal cultural tourism must be the beating heart of our tourism strategy. So well done to Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours & Experiences and the Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council for their awards.
"I had the honour of accepting the Ecotourism gold on behalf of Live Ningaloo. They are one of just 15 companies licensed to bring the extraordinary Ningaloo Reef to tourists across the world.
"These awards are further proof that Western Australia is well and truly open for tourism and open for business."
