West Coast steams ahead
REGIONAL tourism operators in western Tasmania have outdone some of the state’s industry leaders with an impressive showing at last night’s Tasmanian Tourism Awards.
The awards were held in Hobart, with 23 gold medals issued for the state’s best tourism operators — five of which are in the North-West region.
The night was headlined by Strahan’s West Coast Wilderness Railway being named Tasmania’s top tourist attraction and Queenstown’s The Unconformity named best festival and event.
Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief Luke Martin said one of the best results was the West Coast railway’s first win at the awards in more than a decade.
“Just four years ago the West Coast Wilderness Railway was literally off the rails and facing an uncertain future,” he said.
“It’s hard to fathom only five years ago the State Government was seriously considering consigning the ABT back into the annals of history.
“For the railway to be named Tasmania’s best tourist attraction is testament to the commitment and hard work of all who work on the railway, and the West Coast community who fought so hard to secure its future.”
Mr Martin said The Unconformity continued to be the lit- tle Queenstown event that could.
“Judged ahead of some of the state’s largest events and a reminder that we can develop and foster outstanding events in regional areas of Tasmania that draw visitors and showcase what’s unique about Tasmania,” he said.
Mr Martin said another highlight was that winners stretched the full width and breadth of Tasmania.
“From the West Coast Wilderness Railway and The Unconformity festival in Queenstown, through to Saffire and Avalon on the East Coast and the Flinders Island tourism industry winning the destination marketing category, this year’s results tell the story of our regionally dispersed tourism industry,” he said.
“Just five of our 23 category winners are from Hobart and surrounds, which is a fantastic vote of confidence in regional Tasmania.”
The newly built MACq 01 Hotel won the hotly contested best new tourism development category for its innovative business design as Australia’s first story hotel.
Mr Martin said the hotel was a competitive candidate for the national award when the Australian awards night is held in Perth in February.
Regular gold medallists the Tasmanian Walking Company, Maria Island Walk, Avalon and Pumphouse Point were all once more winners last night.
Meanwhile, iconic wine maker Josef Chromy was named the state’s Tourism Champion for his contribution to the industry.