The Sunshine Coast sparkled at the Queensland Tourism Awards, with operators taking home gold, silver and bronze across a broad range of categories.
Two businesses that grabbed the gold – Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat, Montville (Hosted Accommodation) and Pelican Boat Hire, Noosaville (Tourism Retail and Hire Services) – will now compete against the best in the nation at the Australian Tourism Awards.
Those awards will be held on “home turf” at Sunshine Coast Convention Centre, Twin Waters, on March 18 next year.
The Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat win was part of a clean sweep of the Hosted Accommodation category at the state awards, with Bli Bli House going home with silver and The Country House at Hunchy taking the bronze.
Other medal winners on the night were:
- (WINNER) GOLD Mary Valley Rattler – Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer/Volunteer Group
- (WINNER) GOLD RACV Noosa Resort – RACQ People’s Choice Award – Accommodation
- (WINNER) GOLD Simon Thornalley, Saltwater Eco Tours – Young Achievers Award
- (WINNER) GOLD Bindi Irwin, Australia Zoo – Outstanding Contribution by an Individual
- SILVER The Ginger Factory – Excellence in Food Tourism
- SILVER Australia Zoo – Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer/Volunteer Group
- SILVER Mary Valley Rattler – Tourist Attraction
- SILVER RACV Noosa Resort – Self-Contained Accommodation
Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Matt Stoeckel said the range of medal winners in the Queensland Tourism Awards reflected the strength and diversity of the region’s tourism sector.
“The Queensland Tourism Awards were a real triumph for Sunshine Coast tourism, not just for the winners, but for the whole industry, and now the Sunshine Coast will be in the national tourism spotlight when we host the Australian Tourism Awards next March,” he said.
“We were meant to host the gala event in 2021, but the pandemic forced a postponement.
“The 2022 Australian Tourism Awards event will have added importance because it will take place as Australia’s tourism sector is in full-recovery mode and will give the Sunshine Coast an opportunity to showcase our prowess at hosting major events.”
Mr Stoeckel said the events sector was a crucial component of the Coast’s tourism economy, attracting more than 360,000 visitors in 2019 (pre-COVID).
He said his organisation hoped that hosting the Australian Tourism Awards would lead to a strong revival of the sector and highlight that the Coast was an ideal destination for holding major events and conferences.
“Our successful pitch for the national awards was very much a ‘Team Sunshine Coast’ effort, and I’d like to acknowledge the wholehearted support from Sunshine Coast Council, the Queensland Government, Queensland Tourism Industry Council and Sunshine Coast Airport,” he said.
“We are looking forward to hosting a memorable ‘night of nights’ for tourism’s elite performers, with some 850 attendees expected to come to the Sunshine Coast for the event.
“It will provide a huge injection of confidence into the region.”
