Up against the best of the best, Bundaberg Rum has been crowned Australia's Best Tourism Attraction at The Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.
The highly desirable national award was recently presented to the Queensland icon for its Bundaberg Rum Distillery Visitor Experience.
Bundaberg Rum qualified for the national tourism awards, along with fellow local operators Lady Elliot Eco Island Resort, after winning gold at the state awards event last year.
Winning top honours three years in row in the Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries category, the Bundaberg Rum Distillery Experience was inducted into the Australian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame last year.
Marketing and Experience Manager Duncan Littler said to be crowned one the country’s best tourist attractions was a coup for the whole Bundaberg Region.
“For the past three years the famous Bundaberg Rum Distillery has been crowned Australia’s Best Distillery, Brewery and Winery Experience at the Australian Tourism Award which resulted in our experience being inducted into the Tourism Australia Hall of Fame,” Duncan said.
“However, this is the first year we have brought home the Gold in the highly converted Tourism Attraction category, and we believe that this will help shine a massive spotlight on the already thriving Bundaberg tourism industry.
“In addition to being the home of Australia’s favourite rum and now Australia’s best tourism attraction, the Bundaberg Region is also the gateway to the Southern Great Barrier Reef, surrounded by beautiful sandy beaches, showcasing one-of-a-kind wildlife encounters. It’s also now a culinary tourism hotspot with some of Australia’s best food and drink experiences.
“There really are so many reasons as to why a trip to the Bundaberg region should be on the bucket list for all Australians.”
Duncan said he was proud of his team for achieving another highly sought after award in the tourism industry.
“We have an incredible story to tell at Bundaberg Rum and we are so lucky to have a brilliant team focused on creating a world-class visitor experience to share that story with every guest who walks through our doors,” he said.
“We are constantly innovating in order to deliver a visitor experience that exceeds expectations and leaves our guests with great memories to share with family and friends when they get home.”
The Qantas Australian Tourism Awards are the peak awards for the tourism industry, representing excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry and are the pinnacle of peer recognition.
Holiday in your own backyard
Queensland Tourism Industry Council took to Facebook to applaud Bundaberg Rum for its win.
“They were crowned the best of the best in 2021 and at the 2022 Australian Tourism Awards they’re taking home Gold again,” the spokesperson said.
“A huge congratulations to Bundaberg Rum Distillery Visitor Experience for taking out first place in Tourist Attractions.
“The trophy cabinet must be getting full for this Queensland icon, who are proving that we’re home to the greatest attractions.”
Out of the 25 award categories, Queensland businesses have taken out seven gold, three silver, and six bronze.
Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Brett Fraser congratulated all tourism operators, and he encouraged locals to explore their own backyard to take in the beauty of the state.
“After a stellar year in which Queensland was Australia’s number one domestic visitor destination, it’s phenomenal to see so many of our operators recognised on the national stage,” Brett said.
“We’ve always known Queensland is home to some of the best events, accommodation providers and experiences in Australia, and now it’s official. For Queensland to be awarded gold, silver or bronze in 16 of the 25 categories is exceptional.
“I invite all Queenslanders to spend their next weekend getaway or holiday exploring their own backyard and discovering these award-winning tourism experiences.”
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