SKILL SET: THEY’RE BACK! ALL THE DETAILS ON THE TASMANIAN TOURISM AWARDS
T
he Tasmanian Tourism Awards are back in 2021 with a fresh new look, a new trophy and a new purpose.
“The two-year qualifying period means entrants are being asked to share their own COVID story,” Ms Denmead says.
With the National Australian Tourism Awards program not running in 2020, changes have been made to the awards program to ensure entrants are being judged on their resilience, innovation, and successes over an extraordinary two year period for the industry.
“What was their business strategy prior to COVID hitting in March? What strategies did they apply to get through 2020? What are they doing now to set themselves up for the recovery?
“The Tourism Awards have always been about setting a benchmark in Australian tourism for excellence in business and tourism practices,’ explains Tasmanian Tourism Awards mentor, Sam Denmead. “With COVID, success in tourism needs to be looked at differently, and this year’s awards are all about recognising those operators who have been innovative through the disruptions and are successful in coming out the other side with even stronger and more resilient businesses.” Significant temporary changes have been made to the awards for this awards period only. Ms Denmead says the most significant differences with the program will be the qualifying period covering two years, from July 2019 to June 2021, and a reduction in the word length of entries. 14
“Across the industry there are so many great examples of businesses who were innovative through 2020, some pursuing the intrastate market for the first time and resetting their marketing strategy as borders re-opened. “The reduced word count is designed to make it more practical and easier for operators to enter, especially first-time entrants.” Ms Denmead says another positive change this year is the inclusion of a consumer rating component to the judging process. “For the first time every entrant will have their consumer review and rating considered in the judging process alongside their submitted entry and a site visit. These consumer ratings will be based on all online ratings and reviews about their product across 180 travel review sites and social media through their ReviewPro score.
I think this is a really positive enhancement to the whole Awards program in giving our customers a say in the judging process.
