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Tourism awards honour zoo pioneer and region’s winning attractions

B2B Editor24 November 2017

Tourism awards honour zoo pioneer and region’s winning attractions

The owner of and driving force behind the success of Jamala Wildlife Lodge and the National Zoo and Aquarium, Richard Tindale, has been recognised for his pioneering work in the region’s tourism industry.

He won the Outstanding Contribution by an Individual Award at the recent Canberra Region Tourism Awards at the National Museum of Australia.

“The dedication of Richard, his wife Maureen, their children and staff to animal conservation has resulted in the creation of two of the most popular tourist attractions in the region,” the Zoo said in a statement.

Jamala Wildlife Lodge, with its up close and personal proximity to zoo animals, also won the Unique Accommodation category for the second year in a row.

The ACT’s major cultural institutions entrenched their positions as the region’s big drawcards with a clutch of awards.

The National Gallery of Australia won the award for Major Tourist Attraction, Questacon – the National Science and Technology Centre won the award for the Tourist Attraction category, and the National Museum of Australia took home the Major Festivals and Events award for their exhibition A History of the World in 100 objects from the British Museum.

The National Arboretum and the Royal Australian Mint were also commended in the Tourist Attractions and Cultural Tourism categories respectively.

Vibe Hotel Canberra Airport took out the Deluxe Accommodation category, with Hyatt Hotel Canberra winning the Luxury Accommodation category.

ExperienceAIS ran out the winner in the Specialised Tourism Services category.

President of the National Capital Attractions Association, Dr Naomi Dale said: “Each year, the Canberra Region’s tourist attractions and tourism businesses excel in delivering superior and memorable visitor experiences and services to local, regional, interstate and international visitors. The Canberra Region Tourism Awards showcase this excellence in tourism.”

Dr Dale also acknowledged the contributions of Canberra’s surrounding region for producing award winners in 2017.

“Destination Southern Highlands’ Pie Time campaign won the Destination Marketing category, and Yass Valley Information Centre received a commendation in the Visitor Information Services category. This shows how well our surrounding regions are working together to promote the broader Canberra region, breaking down borders, and engaging with our wider tourist markets,” Dr Dale said.

The Yass centre’s tourism visitor services trainee, Georgia Patmore, won the Markus Gibson-Huck Young Achiever Award.

“All of our category winners are now off to compete at a national level at the Australian Tourism Awards to be held at Perth Stadium, Perth on Friday 23 February 2018. We wish them every success,” Dr Dale said.

Original Article published by Ian Bushnell from the RiotACT.

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