Kimberley operators make major impact on tourism awards

10/6/96

Kimberley tourism operators made a major impact on this year's Western Australian Tourism Awards, Tourism Minister Norman Moore said today.

"Not only did Slingair - Heliwork win the prestigious Sir David Brand Award for Tourism, the Kimberley Tourism Association won the award for Tourism Marketing and Promotion and was a finalist in the tourism association category," Mr Moore said.

"In winning the award, the Kimberley Tourism Association beat the high-calibre contestants such as Scitech Discovery Centre and Underwater World.

"The association worked hard all year putting together a cultural tourism plan, facilitating greater access to the region and highlighting the benefits of tourism.

"The region benefited greatly from the energies of the association and the Kimberley recorded a 48,000 increase in visitor numbers.

"El Questro Station and Wilderness Park, last year's winner of the Sir David Brand Award, was once again a finalist for that award and for the Major Attraction category.

"Kimberley Wilderness Adventures and Triple J Tours were finalists for the Tour and Transport Operators category that was also won by Slingair and Heliwork WA."

Mr Moore said he was delighted by the strong presence of Kimberley businesses in the tourism awards.

"The area has many natural features which attract tourists but visitors will only come to a region if they can be properly catered for in terms of tours, accommodation and food," he said.

Mr Moore said most Kimberley operators were committed to excellence and their high representation at the awards was proof that they were succeeding.

He congratulated the 67 finalists in the 29 categories for their achievements in promoting WA as a tourist destination.

"The finalists were of the highest calibre and were chosen from a field of almost 120 entrants," the Minister said.

In all, entries were up nearly 50 per cent on last year.

"Awards like these, which recognise those who pursue and achieve excellence, also have a very important role in the industry's future as they are a measure of excellence which others can strive for," Mr Moore said.

"Tourism is a fiercely competitive business and you need to have the highest quality product to achieve the winning edge."

WINNERS CATEGORY 1 MAJOR TOURIST ATTRACTIONS Scitech Discovery Centre

CATEGORY 2 SIGNIFICANT LOCAL ATTRACTIONS Burswood Park

CATEGORY 3 MAJOR FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS Festival of Perth

CATEGORY 4 SIGNIFICANT LOCAL FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS Dowerin GWN Field Days

CATEGORY 5 ENVIRONMENTAL TOURISM Yardie Creek Tours

CATEGORY 6 HERITAGE & CULTURAL TOURISM Cave, Canoe Bushtucker Tours

CATEGORY 7 ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER TOURISM Artist in Residence

CATEGORY 8 GENERAL TOURISM SERVICES Pinnacle Travel Centre

CATEGORY 9 MEETINGS INDUSTRY Perth Convention Bureau

CATEGORY 10 TOURISM RETAILING Fine Woodcraft Gallery

CATEGORY 11 TOUR & TRANSPORT OPERATORS - MAJOR Pinnacle Tours

CATEGORY 12 TOUR & TRANSPORT OPERATORS SIGNIFICANT Slingair Heliwork

CATEGORY 13 TOURISM ASSOCIATIONS Augusta-Margaret River Tourism Association

CATEGORY 14 TOURISM MARKETING & PROMOTION Kimberley Tourism Association

CATEGORY 15 MEDIA Channel 9, Perth Documentary Unit

CATEGORY 16 INDUSTRY TRAINING - PRIVATE SECTOR Burswood Resort Hotel

CATEGORY 17 INDUSTRY EDUCATION AFTA Travel College

CATEGORY 18 TOURISM RESTAURANTS Kailis Dine in Seafood Takeaway Fishmarket Cafe

CATEGORY 19 WINERIES Houghton Wines

CATEGORY 20 TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS Harbour Village Quest Apartments

CATEGORY 21 BUDGET ACCOMMODATION Exmouth Backpackers

CATEGORY 22 UNIQUE ACCOMMODATION Pemberton Farm Chalets

CATEGORY 23 CAMPING & CARAVAN PARKS Mandalay Holiday Resort and Tourist Park

CATEGORY 24 MOTORING ACCOMMODATION Shamrock Hotel

CATEGORY 25 SUPERIOR ACCOMMODATION Esplanade Hotel Fremantle

CATEGORY 26 DELUXE ACCOMMODATION Burswood Resort Hotel

CATEGORY 27 INBOUND TOURISM Mandarin Holidays

SIR DAVID BRAND AWARD FOR TOURISM Slingair Heliwork

SIR DAVID BRAND MEDAL Russell Mouritz

Media contact: Anabel Gomez 321 1444