Tasmanian hospitality and tourism businesses excel at Australian Tourism Awards

‘I didn’t think Tom had it in him to do something so grand’: A unique proposal at the Australia Tourism Awards.

Bridget Clarke

4 min read

March 21, 2025 - 10:30PM

Bec Richardon's ring. Picture: Bec Richardson

Tasmania

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For the couple behind West Launceston’s Dragonfly Inn, the excitement didn’t stop upon collecting their second hosted accommodation gold medal at Friday’s Australian Tourism Awards.

Owner Bec Richardson was 20 seconds in to her allotted speech-making time when co-owner and partner Tom Garven took over the mic.

“I said to him what are you doing? I thought I covered everything,” she said.

“Then all of a sudden he got down on one knee.”

The proposal at Friday night's Australian Tourism Awards. Picture: supplied

The marriage proposal was met with rapturous applause, including from South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas, who congratulated the happy couple at the conclusion of the ceremony.

“He came over to us and said ‘well done guys’,” Ms Richardson said.

“People were blown away and some were in tears.

“It was pretty epic, I didn’t think Tom had it in him to do something so grand!”

The couple have been together for 12 years, and operating the Dragonfly Inn for eight.

Mr Garven is the stepfather to Ms Richardson’s two sons, Huxley, 16, and Nate, 14.

Ms Richardson said in becoming business partners, the couple had been on “quite a journey”.

“We’ve had to work on our communication skills, because there are two very different roles that we play,” she said.

Tom Garven, Bec Richardson and premier Jeremy Rockliff at Friday's Australian Tourism Awards. Picture: supplied

“Tom’s very hands on and practical, he gets in and gets stuff done whereas I’m more the design and creative vision.

“It’s the yin and the yang.”

On winning the medal for the second year in a row, Ms Richardson said it was an honour to be recognised for what she loved doing.

“It was amazing to be in that room with incredible businesses operators,” she said.

“Everyone was supporting each other. It was all ‘Team Tassie’, and it was just so much fun.”

And as for wedding plans, Ms Richardson had only one thing to say: “Movie World”.

Tassie marks ‘world class’ status at national tourism awards

Tasmania has once against excelled in the Australian Tourism Awards, with 14 local businesses earning spots on the podium and 11 more finishing up as finalists.

Launceston’s Peppers Silo Hotel won two out of four of Tasmania’s gold medals in the business event venues and 4 to 4.5 star deluxe accommodation categories.

For their first year of entry, St Helens-based holiday rental accommodation Younique Stays took out the tourism retail, hire and services award, while West Launceston’s Dragonfly Inn won best hosted accommodation.

Five silver and five bronze medals were also won including in the tourism wineries, distilleries and breweries, caravan and holiday parks and festival and events categories.

Red Rock Hut King Island that won a silver for new tourism business at the 2025 Australian Tourism Awards. Picture: supplied

Tasmania Tourism Industry Council CEO Amy Hills said the results demonstrated the “consistently high standard and quality” maintained in the sector, which in bringing together a diverse array of businesses showcased the “depth and diversity of products and experiences”.

“As an industry we know we have some of the best world class products and experiences,” she said.

“It’s always really positive to have a strong showing on the national stage as these awards show how highly we’re regarded not just in Tasmania, but that we’re nation and world-qualified.”

Ms Hills said it was heartening to see regional offerings be recognised, including the King Island self-catered accommodation site Red Rock Hut which won a silver medal for best new tourism businesses.

Also significant was the recognition of rising stars of the industry, including Younique Stays founder and 2024 Tasmanian Tourism Minister’s Young Achiever winner Emily Elmer.

Emily Elmer from Younique Stays on the East Coast Tasmania who have won a gold for tourism retail, hire & services at the 2025 Australian Tourism Awards. Picture: supplied

The win was important in demonstrating hospitality and tourism could be viable career paths for young people, Ms Hills said.

But despite a successful summer for tourism owing to major events like the Taste of Summer and Fesitvale, Ms Hills said Tasmania’s tourism sector always struggled heading into the autumn and winter months.

“Operators have been busy right across the state but we need to focus on those periods,” she said.

“Businesses are telling us some of the main challenges include cost of doing businesses, maintain staff and insurance for tourism.

“Adventure and nature-based tourism also struggle with cost and access.

“Certainty Tasmania has really strong brand and when you travel across the country they’re seeing our marketing efforts, but it’s about sustaining that.”

This year’s ceremony, which took place on Friday night in Adelaide, marked the 41st annual event.

Tasmania was represented in 25 out of the 26 awards categories.

Peppers Silo Hotel who have won a gold for business event venues and 4-4.5 star deluxe accommodation at the 2025 Australian Tourism Awards. Picture: Olivia Sattler

Tasmanian winners in the 2024 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards:

Gold:

Tourism Retail, Hire, & Services – Younique Stays

Business Event Venues – Peppers Silo Hotel

Hosted Accommodation – The Dragonfly Inn

4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation – Peppers Silo Hotel

Silver:

Major Tour & Transport Operators – Pennicott Wilderness Journeys

Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services – Grain of the Silos

Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries – Bangor Vineyard Shed

Unique Accommodation – The Cove Tasmania

New Tourism Business – Red Rock Hut, King Island