Rebecca White ARTICLE
The depth of sheer talent, professionalism and the international standard of Tasmania’s hospitality has never been clearer. If anyone needs any further proof that we are now offering some of the nation’s best tourism and hospitality experiences, look no further than the deeply impressive list of recipients of the recent Tasmanian Hospitality Association and Drysdale Awards for Excellence.
As the Shadow Minister for Tourism, Hospitality and Events and as a proud Tasmanian who wants the world to come and experience our unique brand, there’s no better indication of what our state has to offer and it was my privilege to attend the awards at Wrest Point and applaud the efforts of the thousands who help make the industry so important to our state’s reputation and our economy. The Awards are a tribute to every Tasmanian who works tirelessly each day in the hospitality industry and the visionaries behind the businesses who are taking Tasmania to the world. The Awards also act as a reminder that tourism and hospitality operators – big and small, in our major centres and across regional Tasmania – are focussed on the best customer service and quality experiences to maintain and increase our good reputation. The prestige of being named the best in a highly competitive industry when Tasmania is enjoying a peak time in the tourism industry is no small feat. Congratulations are truly due to restaurateur Karen Burbury, who received the state’s highest hospitality honour at the annual awards as managing director of Cataract on Paterson. Karen opened her business in Launceston in 2013 and at this year’s ceremony, she received the Premier’s Award for Contribution to the Community. The Hospitality Minister’s Award for Contribution to the Industry went to Robert Dutton and Cara McEwen from Willie Smiths Apple Shed won the Ambassador of the Year. The prize for regional restaurant of the year went to Lauderdale’s Driftwood and Hobart’s The Lounge by Frogmore Creek received the
metropolitan award Frogmore Creek also won best Specialty Restaurant and Best Stand Alone Restaurant. The Port Arthur Historic Site was bestowed with the Great Customer Experience Award. Other winners included Tall Timbers Tasmania, the Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel, Wrest Point, the Strahan Village – Gordon River Cruise, MACqo1, Three Little Ducks, Harbour Lights Café, Rude Boy, Freycinet Lodge, Maldini Restaurant, Annapurna Salamanca, Zero Davey Boutique Apartments, the Richmond Arms Hotel and the Formby along with many, many others. The awards give a comprehensive snapshot of the range of eating and accommodation and tourism experiences across our beautiful state and the level of excellence created by the Tasmanians who dedicate themselves to managing and working in these venues which are helping create and maintain our increasing reputation as a growing international destination. More than anything, the outstanding level of creativity and professionalism recognised by the awards is a celebration of – and tribute to - the thousands of Tasmanians who work so hard to create a unique Tasmanian experience for the hundreds of thousands of visitors who flock to our state each year as well as the locals exploring their own backyard. They provide a huge contribution to Tasmania, our brand, our economy and the industry and I congratulate them all. *Rebecca White is Tasmanian Labor Leader and Shadow Minister for Tourism, Hospitality and Events
October 2018 www.tha.asn.au
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