Press Release

Tuesday 29 May 2007

TASMANIA WINS AT AUSTRALIAN GOURMET TRAVELLER'S INAUGURAL TRAVEL AWARDS
Tasmania has won two awards in the inaugural Australian Gourmet Traveller 2007 Travel Awards announced last night, which recognise Australia’s foremost travel experiences.

The Islington Hotel was named Australia’s best boutique hotel and the Maria Island Walk was awarded the nation’s best eco-tourism experience by a panel of knowledgeable writers, editors, authors and television presenters.

Minister for Tourism, Paula Wriedt, said the awards acknowledge that Tasmania is leading the nation in exclusive, customer-focused travel experiences.

“The Islington Hotel and Maria Island Walk are two standout performers in a State that offers a range of high-quality, personalised visitor experiences.

“That the Henry Jones Art Hotel and The Freycinet Experience were runners-up to our two winners in their respective categories shows the depth of the Tasmanian tourism experience.”

Ms Wriedt said the Gourmet Traveller’s judges wrote of Hobart’s Islington, “There is no other small hotel in Australia in the same league.”

Since opening in early 2006, Hobart’s exclusive 11-room Islington Hotel has received a string of accolades and awards, including being named in the 2006 ‘Hot List’ of respected international travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler.

Winner of the Best Eco-Tourism award, the four-day Maria Island Walk is a fully-guided walk on Tasmania’s island national park.

“The judges praised this family-owned venture for raising awareness of Maria Island’s beautiful, rich and fragile environment,” Ms Wriedt said.

“The award also acknowledges the new one-day tour Once Upon Maria launched in December last year as a sister-operation to the internationally acclaimed four-day experience.

“More broadly, the Best Eco-Tourism award reinforces Tasmania’s reputation as a nature-rich destination and one that is committed to environmentally sustainable tourism development.

“The Australian Gourmet Traveller magazine is the country’s premier travel and food magazine, with a readership of over 300,000.

“Its readers are potential high-spending visitors to our Island and the Travel Awards are a fantastic recommendation of Tasmania as a leading Australian destination.”

Ms Wriedt said that Tourism Tasmania plays an important role in ensuring Tasmania maintains a high profile in leading national and international publications.

“Through its Visiting Journalist Program and Destination Promotion Unit, Tourism Tasmania helps gain enormous exposure for Tasmanian businesses and the Island as a whole, ensuring it remains a must-visit holiday destination."

For further information contact Tourism Tasmania's Communications Unit

(03) 6230 8244
email mediainfo@tourism.tas.gov.au