Douglas operators win Qld Tourism Awards

TOURISM WINNERS

David Gardiner

Journalist

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The Lazy Lizard Motor Inn won a Silver award in the 3-3.5 Star Accommodation category.

Douglas and Cape York operators say they are proud to be celebrating wins at this year’s Queensland Tourism Awards.

Three silver awards were in Douglas: The Lazy Lizard Motor Inn – in the 3-3.5 Star Accommodation category; Ocean Safari – Adventure Tourism; and Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas – Tourism Attraction.

The region’s industry body, Tourism Tropical North Queensland, brought home the gold in the Richard Power Award for Tourism Marketing and Campaigns, for their ‘Autumn Looks Great in Green’ campaign which helped elevate the Douglas region’s sustainability message.

Exemplar Coaches & Limousines took out the bronze in the Major Tour and Transport Operator category.
Further north, the Cape York Peninsula Lodge is celebrating a big win – a gold award in the 4-4.5 Star Accommodation category.

The Lazy Lizard’s owners, Aidan and Alex posted on their Facebook page:

“We are extremely proud to be awarded SILVER in the 3-3.5 star Accommodation category at this year’s Queensland Tourism Awards, hosted by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council.

“A huge thank you to Kaye, Tui and Trish who have been incredibly supportive and dedicated to their housekeeping roles and have helped us to excel in the Queensland tourism industry.”

From Ocean Safari’s page: “To our team, our guests, our agents, fellow tourism operators, families and friends, thank you for all of your support, we can’t wait for another year of reef adventures with you all!”

Intrastate tourism at highest level ever

Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) CEO Brett Fraser said the 37th annual Queensland Tourism Awards had brought together an outstanding selection of operators that truly reflected the diverse range of the state’s quality tourism offerings.

“Collectively, this year’s recipients are a testament to the strength and calibre of the state’s tourism operators, and I applaud this great industry and its people for the innovation and resilience they have displayed,” Mr Fraser said.

Queensland recorded its highest ever intrastate visitor rate, noting a 21.5 per cent increase, totalling $12.4 billion in spending.

“In true Queenslander spirit, we are embracing the difficulties we face together by re-connecting and discovering places in our own backyard, as together we are drawn to holidays within our home state.

“The past two years have re-defined how people live, work and travel, and the intrastate tourism we are experiencing is directly correlated to this.

“But this exponential growth doesn’t come without major challenges for our operators who continue to battle with a lack of workforce.”

Ocean Safari’s Cole Claxton and Clementine Atanazio at the Qld Tourism Awards.

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