MEDIA RELEASE 18 May 2010 Last chance to enter Regional Tourism Awards Entries are mounting up in the 2010 Cradle Coast Advocate Newspaper Regional Tourism Awards. With just over a week to go until the application closing date on 31 May, tourism operators and associations have been busy preparing and submitting their entries. The inaugural awards include eleven categories to reward operators and individuals who demonstrate excellence and professionalism in the tourism industry. The opportunity to submit entries is still open with application forms available on the Cradle Coast Authority web site (www.cradlecoast.com/tourism_awards.html). Applications are particularly encouraged in the categories Events and Festivals, Sustainable Tourism, Caravan Parks and the individual categories of Young Achievers and Contributions to Local Tourism. Entries have also been received from a cross‐section of locations in the Cradle Coast, although Ian Waller, Regional Tourism Development Manager at the Cradle Coast Authority, is encouraging an even greater response. “The interest in the Awards has been great but I know that there are wonderful tourist operators and individuals out there who haven’t yet submitted entries. I can only hope that they are working on perfecting their applications before the closing date of May 31 st .” “Applicants have told me that they appreciate the chance to showcase their achievements and use the Regional Tourism Awards as a stepping stone to state and national competitions,” Mr Waller said. “I’d encourage any tourism operator who may be considering entering but hasn’t yet done so to download the application form and see how easy it is to take part. The recognition that can come from winning industry awards is invaluable.” An independent judging panel lead by Ron Stendrup is now planning site visits in preparation for the winner announcements at the end of July. The Regional Tourism Award categories include accommodation, caravan parks, tourist restaurants, attractions and experiences, tourism operators, visitor information and services, events and festivals, sustainable tourism, individual contributions, young achievers, and contributions to local tourism. In addition to category winners, certificates of merit will also be awarded and recipients will be acknowledged in the Western Wilderness or North West Tasmanian visitor guides. Entries are open to all tourism and associated businesses located within, or actively operating in, the Cradle Coast region with the winners to be announced on 29 July 2010 at a tourism forum to be held in Ulverstone. End… Cradle Coast tourism works with the tourism and associated industries, councils, state government and visitor centres to create a regional tourism sector that delivers economic, social and environmental benefits to the Cradle Coast. Cradle Coast tourism is a unit of the Cradle Coast Authority. Cradle Coast Authority Media Contacts: Ian Waller Regional Tourism Development Manager Ph: 0419 372 400
Amanda Wilson Communications Manager Ph: 03 6431 6285