SA Tourism's Magnificent Seven

Seven of South Australia's magnificent tourism experiences have been inducted into the State's Tourism Hall of Fame at the 2014 South Australian Tourism Awards, winning their category three years in a row:

• Adventure Bay Charters – best Major Tourist Attraction
• Hahndorf Farm Barn – best Tourist Attraction
• Cellar Door Wine Festival – best Festival & Event
• West Terrace Cemetery – best Heritage & Cultural Tourism Attraction
• Barossa Visitor Centre – best Visitor Information & Services
• Pindarie Cellar Door – best Tourism Winery
• Rawnsley Park Station Eco-Villas – best Unique Accommodation

A black tie event attended by the who's who of the State's tourism industry saw30 awards presented to businesses and individuals judged to be the most outstanding in their category.

A further 71 entrants who achieved a high standard in their category were recognised with a gold, silver or bronze medal.

Calypso Star Charter's Ron Forster was also honoured for his involvement in tourism, receiving the award for an Outstanding Contribution by an Individual. Ron is a successful entrepreneur who has spent the last three decades creating tourism ventures that have been instrumental in promoting the Eyre Peninsula, and in particular Port Lincoln.

University of SA student, Joanna Chudy was chosen as SA Tourism Student of the Year, and will travel to Christchurch as part of the SKAL International Adelaide Student Exchange Program.

Announced for the first time at the South Australian Tourism Awards, Pawan Kumar was named the South Australian Taxi Driver of the Year - an Award that encourages the highest levels of service and customer satisfaction.

South Australian Tourism Industry Council Chief Executive Ward Tilbrook congratulated all winners and the seven inductees to the Hall of Fame.

“South Australia is home to some of the world's best tourism experiences and it is important to celebrate excellence in an industry that is so significant to the South Australian economy,” Mr Tilbrook says.

“As the State's peak tourism body, the South Australian Tourism Industry Council continually strives to raise the standards of the industry, present its members as high quality to build consumer confidence and increase participation in the world-class experiences on offer.

“The South Australian Tourism Awards are the pinnacle of excellence within the tourism industry, rewarding innovation and fostering better business practices by setting benchmarks for all tourism operators to aspire to.

“The Awards' standards are exceptionally high and visitors can book one of these award-winning experiences with confidence when planning their next holiday.”

The awards are judged in accordance with a strict set of rules and criteria, and winners will represent the State at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awardswhen Adelaide hosts the prestigious national event in April 2015.

For more information on each winner: http://satic.com.au/index.php/awards/winners/