Tassie the top trump at Australian Tourism Awards

TASMANIA is now the undisputed king of Australian eco-tourism after another strong showing at the Australian Tourism Awards in Perth, the tourism industry chief’s says.

The Maria Island Walk won gold in the Tour and Transport Operators section.

TASMANIA is now the “undisputed king” of Australian eco-tourism after another strong showing at the Australian Tourism Awards in Perth, industry chief Luke Martin says.

Tasmania scored 12 awards from 26 categories, including three gold medals.

Those included the now three-time national eco-tourism champion, the Tasmanian Walking Company, and back-to-back luxury accommodation winner Saffire on the Freycinet Peninsula.

The Maria Island Walk won gold in the tour and transport operators category.

AWARD WINNERS GOLD Tasmanian Walking Company (Eco-tourism) The Maria Island Walk (Tour and Transport Operators) Saffire-Freycinet (Luxury Accommodation) SILVER Port Arthur Historic Site (Cultural Tourism) RiverFly 1864 (Specialised Tourism Services) Roaring 40s Kayaking (Adventure Tourism) Avalon Coastal Retreat (Self-Contained Accommodation) MACq 01 Hotel (New Tourism Business) BRONZE The Unconformity (Festivals and Events) Altitude Restaurant and Lounge Bar (Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services) Pumphouse Point (Unique Accommodation) The Henry Jones Art Hotel (Deluxe Accommodation)

And, in a further nod to the Apple Isle, the Tasmanian Walking Company was one of two businesses inducted into the Australian Tourism Hall of Fame.

The company, which won gold for eco-tourism in 2016 and 2017, operates the Cradle Mountain Huts Walk, Wineglass Bay Sail Walk and the Bay of Fires Lodge Walk. Its third consecutive gold means Tasmanian operators have now won the eco-tourism category for six straight years.

And despite the state’s awards tally dropping by two from 14 last year, Mr Martin, chief of the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania, said the result sent a message to Australian and international eco-tourism operators.

“We are the undisputed kings of Australian eco-tourism and our leading nature tourism operators are the equal to any in the world,” he said.

“I firmly believe we will carry this momentum forward with more operators delivering unforgettable visitor experiences in our unique environment, building on the success of The Maria Island Walk, Tasmanian Walking Company and others.”

Saffire once again took out the Luxury Accommodation title. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES.

Premier and Tourism Minister Will Hodgman said the state was fast emerging as the environmental tourism capital of the world.

The Tasmanian Walking Company won gold in the Eco-tourism section. Picture: Chris Crerar/Parks Tasmania

Among the silver medallists were 2017 gold medallist RiverFly (specialised tourism services), Roaring 40s Kayaking (adventure tourism), the Port Arthur Historic Site (cultural tourism), Avalon Coastal Retreat (self contained accommodation) and debutant MACq01 Hotel (new tourism business).

Bronze medallists included the Unconformity Festival (festivals and events), Altitude Restaurant and Lounge Bar (tourism restaurants and catering services), Pumphouse Point (unique accommodation) and the Henry Jones Art Hotel (deluxe accommodation).