MEDIA RELEASE 21 April 2011
Recognition for top tourism operators
Tourism operators in the Cradle Coast region have a chance to celebrate their achievements and showcase their businesses in the 2011 Advocate Newspaper Regional Tourism Awards. Award entries opened this week across eleven categories and will close on 31 May. The Awards were developed by the Cradle Coast Authority to reward operators and individuals who demonstrate excellence in the tourism industry. The Awards were held for the first time last year and Regional Tourism Development Manager, Ian Waller, is expecting an equally competitive and top‐class quality of entrants in 2011. “Last year we received 60 entries across all of the categories,” Mr Waller said. “There are many great operators delivering fantastic tourism experiences in the Cradle Coast region. It was a difficult task for the judging panel to select winners because there were so many worthy entrants. I’m anticipating that it will be just as tough for the judges in 2011.” “The entry forms for the Regional Tourism Awards have been specifically designed to be simple and to act as a stepping stone for local operators to enter the state’s Tasmanian Tourism Awards,” Mr Waller said. “The recognition that can come from winning industry awards is invaluable and so we’re keen to support North West Tasmania’s representation in both the state and national competitions.” An independent judging panel will assess entries 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 winners will be acknowledged in the Western Wilderness or North West Coast Tasmanian holiday 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 28 July 2011 at the Regional Tourism Forum to be held in Burnie. Entry forms and guidelines can be downloaded from the Cradle Coast Authority web site http://www.cradlecoast.com/tourism_awards2011.html End… Media interview opportunity: Charlotte Brown, Cable Station Restaurant and Accommodation (phone 6458 1312) who received the Tourism Restaurant Award in the 2010 Advocate Newspaper Regional Tourism Awards and went on to win at the Tasmanian Tourism Awards and be a finalist in the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards held in Perth in March 2011. Cradle Coast tourism works with the tourism and associated industries, councils, state government and visitor centres to deliver economic, social and environmental benefits to the Cradle Coast tourism sector. Cradle Coast tourism is a unit of the Cradle Coast Authority. Media Contacts: Ian Waller ‐ Regional Tourism Development Manager Don Monk ‐ Tourism Marketing Coordinator Ph: 6431 6285 or 0447 381 706
Amanda Wilson Communications Manager Ph: 6431 6285