- Western Australia wins four gold medals at Qantas Australian Tourism Awards
- Awards recognise successful regional tourism businesses from Kununurra to Cowaramup
- Recognition follows record-breaking $17.9 billion visitor spend in WA in the year to June
Western Australia has franked its position as the country's premier tourism destination with 13 businesses receiving medals at this year's Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.
Of the winners, four took home gold, including Cowaramup-based Harvest Tours, Kununurra-based HeliSpirit, and Spinifex Brewery, which was recognised for its new Cable Beach venue in Broome.
Swan Valley Visitor Centre also received a gold medal, with the iconic wine-growing region to soon receive a sculpture trail and upgrades to the Bells Rapids Footbridge thanks to an election commitment from the Cook Labor Government.
Other businesses were recognised for a diverse range of offerings, including for unique accommodation at Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm on the Dampier Peninsula, festivals and events at Margaret River Region Open Studios, and ecotourism offerings at Busselton Jetty.
WA's award winners were as follows:
Gold
Harvest Tours - Excellence in Food Tourism;
HeliSpirit - Major Tour & Transport Operators;
Spinifex Brewery Cable Beach - New Tourism Business; and
Swan Valley Visitor Centre - Visitor Information Services.
Silver
Margaret River Region Open Studios - Festivals & Events; and
Rottnest Island Authority - Wrap Yourself In Wonder - Tourism Marketing & Campaigns.
Bronze
Busselton Jetty - Ecotourism;
Broadwater Resort, Busselton - 3-3.5 Star Accommodation;
Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm - Unique Accommodation;
Pullman Bunker Bay Resort - 5 Star Luxury Accommodation;
Singlefile Wines - Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries;
WA Museum Boola Bardip - Major Tourist Attractions; and
Wooleen Station - Hosted Accommodation.
As stated by Tourism Minister Reece Whitby:
"There's no better place to visit in this country than Western Australia.
"That's not just because we live in the biggest and most diverse state in Australia - it's because our tourism businesses know what visitors want, and they're delivering it in spades.
"I want to congratulate the 13 winners and finalists at this year's awards, including regional operators like Spinifex Brewery, HeliSpirit and Harvest Tours that were named best in class.
"Their success is proof the Cook Labor Government's investment in and support for our State's tourism industry is working, with visitors spending a record $17.9 billion in WA last financial year.
"We want to see that success continue, with Western Australians earlier this year overwhelmingly endorsing our plan to bring more major events to WA, secure flights to more global destinations, and reform our liquor and trading laws to boost our night-time economy.
"It's all part of our plan to keep doing what's right for WA's tourism industry."
