Tassie shines as national judges pick tourist industry's best

MULTI-award winner Rob Pennicott has done it again, taking out gold at the national tourism awards last night.

Rob Pennicott

MULTI-award winner Rob Pennicott has done it again, taking out gold at the national tourism awards last night.

Tasmanian tourism businesses continue to outperform their interstate competitors, with eight of the state's leading tourism experiences placed in the top three of their category.

The 2013 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards Gala was held at Sydney's Luna Park.

Pennicott Wilderness Journeys sealed its position as a leader in the sector, collecting two gold medals for Best Ecotourism Operator and Excellence in Sustainable Tourism.

Spirit of Tasmania won its first national tourism award, named Australia's best Major Tour and Transport Operator.

While the result didn't top the six gold awards Tasmanian businesses collected last year, Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said it was still an outstanding effort.

In 2011 Tasmania had five operators place in the top three of their category and 11 the following year.

"By any measure Tasmania punches well above its weight in the Australian tourism industry, and (last night's) results again show Tasmania is home to some of Australia's most innovative tourism operators delivering outstanding visitor experiences," Mr Martin said.

He said recognition for the Spirit of Tasmania was "long overdue".

Tourism Minister Scott Bacon said the result capped off a record year for the sector, with a million people visiting the state for the first time ever.

"This is an extremely positive time for the tourism industry in Tasmania," Mr Bacon said.

"So much of our success comes down to the quality and commitment of our tourism operators."

THE WINNERS

• Pennicott Wilderness Journeys

• Best Ecotourism gold (second year running), Excellence in Sustainable Tourism gold

• Best Tourist Attraction silver Spirit of Tasmania –Major Tour & Transport Operator gold

• Saffire Freycinet

• Luxury Tourism silver

• Rocky Hills Retreat

• Unique Accommodation bronze

• The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel

• Business Tourism bronze

• Port Arthur Historic Site

• Heritage & Culture Tourism bronze