Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort has been named the Hall of Fame winner in the recent Queensland Tourism Industry Awards and were joined by three other local businesses receiving accolades on the night.
A hero in its category which recognises ecologically sustainable tourism, the resort received The Steve Irwin Award for Ecotourism, placing it in the Queensland Tourism Awards Hall of Fame – a prestigious accolade presented to entrants that have won in their selected Queensland Tourism Awards category for three consecutive years.
Custodian and daughter of director Peter Gash, Amy Gash, was also honoured during the event with the Young Achiever Award for outstanding contribution to the tourism industry.
“We are extremely honoured to be presented with both these remarkable accolades in recognition of our contribution to sustainable tourism and wish to thank everyone who has supported Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort through our sustainability journey,” the team said.
“The Steve Irwin Award for Ecotourism recognises ecologically sustainable tourism businesses with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas.
“Winning the award during the same month as Steve Irwin Day, to celebrate the life and legacy of the greatest Wildlife Warrior, makes this an even greater honour for the team.”
Each year, the Queensland Tourism Awards are judged by a panel of industry experts who volunteer their services to assess submission and travel across Queensland to experience firsthand the amenities and services of the nominated operators.
From movers and shakers to Mum and Dad operators, Queensland’s tourism industry was championed with a total of 78 awards, including 31 Gold, 26 Silver and 20 Bronze Awards presented across 30 categories.
Bundaberg Region operators among the winners included:
- Bundaberg Rum Distillery Visitor Experience
- Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort (Hall of Fame winner)
- Lady Musgrave Experience
- Macadamias Australia, Bundaberg
- Amy Gash, Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort Reservations Manager
Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Brett Fraser said the awards had brought together an outstanding selection of operators that truly reflect 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.
Twenty-eight of Queensland’s best progress to the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in March 2023 to be judged against finalists from each State and Territory.”
Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the Queensland Tourism Awards had capped off a remarkable year for domestic tourism.
“Congratulations to this year’s award winners and finalists on delivering world-class visitor experiences and making Queensland Australia’s destination of choice,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“Domestic tourism in Queensland has bounced back strongly this year with a record $19.6 billion in overnight visitor spending.
“This nation leading result that owes much to the hard work and resilience of Queensland’s tourism operators.”
Queensland Tourism Awards winners are on the Queensland Tourism Industry Council website.
