SKILL SET: They’re back! All the details on the Tasmanian Tourism Awards

The Tasmanian Tourism Awards are back in 2021 with a fresh new look, a new trophy and a new purpose.

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. “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. “The two-year qualifying period means entrants are being asked to share their own COVID story,” Ms Denmead says. “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? “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.

All Tasmanian Tourism Award winners this year will take home a new-look ‘Weindorfer’ Trophy. TICT has commissioned the bespoke trophy, which has been designed by Taroonabased artist and designer, Alex Miles. TICT CEO Luke Martin says Ms Miles’ striking trophy design continues a tradition established by legendary Tasmanian artist, Tom Samek. “Tom has produced our trophies by hand over the past six years and I know every winner has appreciated the opportunity to not only take home an award, but also their own unique Tom Samek artwork,” Mr Martin says. “Tom advised me a couple of years ago he would be unable to continue to produce the trophies. We talked through the option of licensing his design and finding another way to produce the trophies, or putting out the opportunity for another Tasmanian artist to offer their own design. “To Tom’s credit he enthusiastically embraced the idea of running a design competition to give other Tasmanian artists the chance to pitch for the project. “Arts Tasmania ran a public design competition for us that generated 15 different entries, before we ultimately selected Alex’ as the winner.” Alex’s design picks up on the inspiration for Tom Samek’s design and the native Tasmanian flora used by Gustav Weindorfer in his construction of Waldheim. “Gustav and Kate Weindorfer are the inspiration for our Awards program as the original Tasmanian nature tourism pioneers with their Waldheim cottage at Cradle Mountain,” Mr Martin explains.

Alex Miles’ New Weindorfer Trophy

“Alex has paid tribute to the native landscape and flora that is synonymous with our tourism industry, while creating a striking trophy that any tourism operator business would be proud to display.” For more information on the Tasmanian Tourism Awards program and to begin your nomination visit www.tict.com.au