Sunshine Coast tourism in State-awards spotlight

The Sunshine Coast’s tourism industry will be in the spotlight tomorrow night (Friday Nov 28) with 12 local organisations vying for Queensland Tourism Awards, including the Caloundra Music Festival which has been nominated in the Festivals and Events category.

Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson said the awards were a celebration of our tourism sector’s achievements over the past 12 months.

"Having 12 organisations nominating across 17 categories is a terrific result for the Sunshine Coast and these operators,” Mayor Jamieson said.

“The awards also recognise the innovative ways these businesses have grown and diversified to capture a growing tourism market in a highly competitive period.

“All nominators should feel very proud. The awards will provide a great platform upon which to showcase all that the Sunshine Coast, and indeed our Sunshine Coast tourism industry, has to offer.

“We are fortunate to live in one of the best places on earth and our tourism industry is proving it’s up there with the best when it comes to providing great service and memorable experiences.”

Operating for 29 years, the Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of our tourism operators across the State.

Sunshine Coast Council is a finalist in two categories – Local Government Awards for Tourism; and Festivals and Events with its nomination for the Caloundra Music Festival.

The Festival was attended by 30,000 people over four days and the event is now recognised nationally on the festival calendar.

The 12 individual finalists are spread across 17 categories with winners going on to vie for the national awards which will be decided in April 2015.

The nominations are:

·         Major Tourist Attraction – Australia Zoo

·         Major Tourist Attraction – SEA Life Mooloolaba – Merlin Entertainments

·         Tourist Attraction – Aussie World

·         Festivals and Events – Queensland Garden Expo

·         Festivals and Events – Sunshine Coast Council (Caloundra Music Festival)

·         Visitor Information and Services – Sunshine Coast Destination Limited (Sunshine Coast Airport Visitor Information Centre)

·         Visitor Information and Services – Sunshine Coast Destination Limited (Glasshouse Mountains Visitor and Interpretive Centre)

·         Tour and/or Transport Operator - Hinter-Coast Transport

·         Tour and/or Transport Operator – Coastal Cruises Mooloolaba

·         Destination Marketing – Sunshine Coast Destination Limited – Australia’s Nature Coast

·         Destination Marketing – Sunshine Coast Destination Limited – Make the Most of the Moment Campaign

·         Hosted Accommodation – Bli Bli House

·         Standard Accommodation – Maroochy River Resort and Bungalows

·         Deluxe Accommodation – Rumba Beach Resort

·         Local Government Award for Tourism – Sunshine Coast Council

·         Excellence in Food Tourism – Maleny Cheese – Maleny Cheese Cafe