In addition, Tasmanian tourism entrepreneur Simon Currant was the very deserving winner of the 2012 Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual. With more than 30 years' experience as a tourism visionary, developer, operator and consultant, Simon has played an integral role in shaping Tasmania's tourism industry. Simon has been instrumental in the development of some of the island state's most celebrated tourism experiences including Peppermint Bay and Hobart Cruises, Cradle Mountain Lodge, Franklin Manor, Strahan Village and Gordon River Cruises.
Tourism Tasmania chief executive John Fitzgerald said that last year, Tasmania's tourism sector had received a number of high profile national and international accolades and awards for the quality of its tourism offerings. "Tasmania's continued success at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards show that last year's accolades were well-deserved and that the quality of our tourism continued to go from strength to strength."
"Right now, Tasmania is capturing the imagination of Australians and international visitors and enhancing its reputation as a diverse, must-see quality destination. Whether it's to reconnect with nature or awaken the senses with a cultural twist or a luxury escape, I'm confident our visitors will return home after their Tasmanian holiday feeling revitalised and inspired," he said.
The Tasmanian winners of the 2012 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards are:
- Pennicott Wilderness Journeys - won Gold for the Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism;
- Bruny Island Cruises - won Gold in both the Tourist Attractions and Ecotourism award categories;
- The Maria Island Walk - won Gold in the Adventure Tourism award category, and
- Rocky Hills Retreat - won Gold in the Unique Accommodation award category.
- Saffire Freycinet - won Silver in the Luxury Accommodation award category.
- Sheoaks on Freycinet - won Bronze in the Hosted Accommodation award category;
- The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel - won Bronze in the Business Tourism award category;
- The Maria Island Walk - won Bronze in the Tour and/or Transport Operators award category;
- Austrips - won Bronze in the Specialised Tourism Services award category; and
- Pure Tasmania - won Bronze in the Tourism Marketing award category.
PENNICOTT WILDERNESS JOURNEYS
Pennicott Wilderness Journeys
Gold winner of the Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism
Since
local legend Rob Pennicott began the business in 1999, Pennicott
Wilderness Journeys has treated visitors to eco-cruise experiences
unlike any other; taking guests on thrilling three-hour sea-bound
adventures to either Bruny or Tasman Island. Pennicott Wilderness
Journeys recently launched their new Bruny Island Traveller tour,
providing a full-day land based guided exploration tour of Bruny Island.
With a focus on protecting Tasmania's pristine natural environment,
Pennicott Wilderness Journeys is Advanced Ecotourism Accredited, 100%
carbon offset and Earthcheck Assessed, and donates a significant portion
of profits towards important conservation and humanitarian projects. In
April, Pennicott Wilderness Journeys will be launching a new
Hunter-Gatherer tour on Bruny Island. Watch this space. W: www.pennicottjourneys.com.au
Pennicott Wilderness Journeys
BRUNY ISLAND CRUISES
Gold winner of the Tourist Attractions award
Gold winner of the Ecotourism award Bruny Island Cruises offer exhilarating coastal wilderness experiences along Bruny Island's rugged coastline taking passengers on a phenomenal journey past ancient towering sea cliffs that are amongst the tallest in the southern hemisphere. Along the 50 kilometre, three-hour journey guests pass blow holes, deep sea caves, kelp forests and a plethora of wildlife including albino wallabies, seals, dolphins, migrating whales (seasonal), seabirds, and birds of prey. Underpinning the experience is a genuine connection with the precious coastal wilderness and the need to conserve it. The business is committed to operating sustainably with an emphasis on maximising benefits to the local community through local purchasing and employment as well as the financial support of conservation and humanitarian projects. Bruny Island Cruises is a former winner of the Ecotourism award (2009). W: www.brunycruises.com.au
THE MARIA ISLAND WALK
 |
| The Maria Island Walk |
Gold winner of the Adventure Tourism award
Bronze winner of the Tour and/or Transport Operators award
The multi-award winning The Maria Island Walk is a beautiful four-day walk experience set in the world heritage-listed Maria Island National Park on Tasmania's spectacular East Coast, and continues to represent the pinnacle of Tasmania's adventure tourism offerings. Run by Ian Johnstone and his family, the four-day walk treats small groups (a maximum of ten guests plus two guides) to some of Tasmania's best assets - pristine wilderness, convict heritage, excellent Tasmanian food and wine, secluded beaches and knowledgeable guides with a passion for the island. The Maria Island Walk is a former winner for the Adventure Tourism award (in both 2008 and 2011). W: www.mariaislandwalk.com.au
ROCKY HILLS RETREAT
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| Rocky Hills Retreat |
Gold winner of the Unique Accommodation award
Perched high on a hill overlooking the breathtaking expanse of the Great Oyster Bay and nearby heritage listed Maria Island; Rocky Hills Retreat offers a completely private, elegant and intimate space perfect for couples or singles seeking solitude. Guests can engage with their breathtaking natural surrounds as they soak up the luscious trimmings of this decadent retreat. From the cosy wood fire, modern kitchen, Aesop toiletries and foot spa products, to the hand crafted Huon Pine bath on the outdoor deck and fully equipped art studio just a short stroll away, every creature comfort has been catered for. W: www.rockyhillsretreat.com.au
SILVER AND BRONZE WINNERS
Saffire Freycinet, an exquisite, luxury lodge nestled amongst bushland in the spectacular surrounds of Tasmania's East Coast won silver in the Luxury Accommodation category. Bronze award winners include The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel, a smart, inner city Hobart hotel housed in the Heritage Listed former wool storage and treatment facility, in the Business Tourism category; Sheoaks on Freycinet, a custom built, Leigh Woolley designed, waterfront Bed & Breakfast nestled on the Great Oyster Bay at Coles Bay in the Hosted Accommodation category; Austrips, a fully licensed travel agency and tour wholesaler offering expert tour planning services in the Specialised Tourism Services category and Pure Tasmania for their ongoing excellence in the Tourism Marketing category.
About The Qantas Australian Tourism Awards
The Qantas Australian Tourism Awards are the tourism industry's most prestigious awards event, respected for a commitment towards recognising and celebrating the Australian tourism operators that have demonstrated excellence and outstanding achievement.
Additional information, winners' fact sheets and hi-resolution imagery will be available for download via the following link from Saturday morning, 16th February 2013.
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