Mercury, MIKE BINGHAM, p.12 – 19/11/2005
TWO Hobart hotels and the Port Arthur Historic Site were all double winners at last night’s Tasmanian tourism awards.
Port Arthur was named best major attraction and was also the heritage and cultural tourism winner.
The Henry Jones Art Hotel won the luxury accommodation category and best new tourism development.
The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel topped the meetings and business section, and gained the award for tourism education and training. Tourism Council Tasmania chief executive Daniel Leesong said the awards had attracted record entries in most categories.
The awards:
Major tourism attraction: Port Arthur Historic Site. Significant regional attraction: Tamar River Cruises. Highly commended: Boags Centre for Beer Lovers, West Coast Wilderness Railway. Major festivals and events: 10 Days on the Island. Significant festivals and events: Antarctic Midwinter Festival. Ecotourism: Freycinet Adventures. Heritage and cultural tourism: Port Arthur Historic Site. Highly commended: Woolmers Estate. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism: Tiagarra. General tourism services: Forest and Heritage Centre. Meetings and business tourism: The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel. Tourism retailing: Lavender House-Lavender Fields Tasmania. Major tour and transport operators: Tigerline Travel (inducted into Hall of Fame). Significant tour and transport operators: Gordon River Cruises. Highly commended, Naturally Tasmania Tours. Adventure tourism: Maria Island Walk. Tourism product marketing: Federal Hotels and Resorts. Tourism education and training: The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel. Tourism restaurants and catering services: Peppermint Bay. Highly commended: Home Hill Winery and Restaurant. Tourism wineries: Moorilla Estate. Tourist and caravan parks: Cosy Cabins Devonport. Backpacker accommodation: The Devils Playground. Hosted accommodation: Ashton Gate. Unique accommodation: Beachside Retreat West Inlet. Standard accommodation: Dovecote Motel and Restaurant. Deluxe accommodation: Diamond Island Oceanview Apartments. Highly commended: Somerset on the Pier. Luxury accommodation: The Henry Jones Art Hotel. New tourism development: The Henry Jones Art Hotel. Highly commended: Barnbougle Dunes. Outstanding contribution by an individual: Brian Inder. Minister’s young achiever award: Alison Stubbs. Minister’s award for outstanding contribution to tourism: Christine Dewar. People’s choice award: Huon Franklin Cottage.
