More than 450 members of the hospitality and tourism industry came together in November to celebrate excellence in the sector, with 27 outstanding operators coming away with gold medals. Off the back of the nation-leading performance at the 2023 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, Tasmania’s tourism operators again shone at the 2024 Tasmanian Tourism Awards held in Hobart. The Tasmanian Tourism awards program includes a robust judging process with a team of 24 independent judges who evaluate the 10,000-word written submissions, conduct business verification reviews, and assess the digital presence and engagement of each entrant. Consumer ratings across the 12-month qualifying period are also incorporated into the final score. Tourism Industry Council Tasmania CEO Amy Hills said that once again the standard at this year’s awards was extremely high and it was encouraging to see a number of new businesses and first-time entrants taking part in the program. “The Tasmanian Tourism Awards recognise innovation, excellence, quality, and sustainability in tourism, while also providing a benchmark for industry best practice,” she said. “This year we’ve seen 78 finalists representing the diversity of our industry including accommodation, experiences, tour and transport operators, as well as festivals and events.” In recognition of the high industry standard tourism operators have reached, this year saw four Tasmanian businesses inducted into the prestigious Tasmanian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame: 1. Air Adventure Golf – Tour & Transport Operators 2. Bangor Vineyard Shed – Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries 3. BIG 4 St Helens Holiday Park – Caravan & Holiday Parks 4. The Cove Tasmania – Unique Accommodation The Hall of Fame, established in 2003, recognises businesses who achieve outstanding success at the Tasmanian Tourism Awards by winning the same category for three consecutive years. The Cove Tasmania was also the first recipient to be awarded Excellence in Accessible Tourism in Tasmania’s awards program. They are proud to have improved many aspects of the property to ensure it is inclusive and provides a safe haven for guests
Tasmanian Touris INDUSTRY FEATURE
with accessibility needs, and have now achieved accreditation in four of the five accessibility categories.
“I would encourage every tourism business to enter the Tasmanian Tourism Awards. Not to win an award, but to drastically improve your business and its operations and guest experiences,” The Cove Managing Director Kim Robinson said.
“It is quite the commitment, however the value is immeasurable for your business. I would encourage
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Tasmanian Hospitality Review Oct/Nov Edition
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