Tuesday 14 November 2007

HONOURS FOR HOTEL STALWARTS
Two of the State’s most prominent hotel industry figures have been honoured at the Australian Hotels Association (Tasmanian Branch) Awards.

Premier Paul Lennon acknowledged the work of Tim Bond, a leading player in the Tasmanian hotel industry for more than 20 years, at a function in Hobart tonight.

Presenting the Premier’s Award for Contribution to the Community, Mr Lennon said Mr Bond was widely known and loved for his outgoing and inclusive style.

“As an owner and manager of hotels both in regional areas and in Hobart and Launceston, Tim Bond has also made outstanding contributions to charities, sporting clubs and the general community,” the Premier said.

“His fundraising efforts have supported charities and institutions such as Diabetes Tasmania, Asthma Tasmania, Variety Club and the Heart Foundation.

“He is known for helping people who have suffered through illness or accident and those who have been down on their luck.”

The Minister for Tourism, Arts and the Environment, Paula Wriedt, honoured industry stalwart Lloyd Clark with the Minister’s Award for Contribution to the Industry.

Mr Clark has owned the Innkeepers Collection since 1992 and was earlier involved in tourism development and hire car companies.

He has actively participated in numerous national and international travel and trade events, including the Australian Tourism Exchange, International Tourism Borse (in Berlin) and the Aussie Trading Post in North America.

Mr Clark has held numerous positions, including Chair of the Tasmanian Visitor Corporation and Chair of the Tasmanian Convention and Visitors Bureau.

He is currently a Tourism Industry Council Tasmania board member.

The Premier also presented three special recognition awards to businesses for having achieved national success.
Marque IV was acknowledged for winning the Restaurant and Catering national category for Best Modern Australian Restaurant; Tall Timbers Hotel Motel recently won the Australian Hotels Association’s national category of Best Mid-Range Accommodation; and Country Club Tasmania was recognised by the AHA’s national category for Best Gaming Venue.

Media outlets can organise interviews with award winners by contacting the AHA’s Tasmanian General Manager, Steve Old, on 0418 363 566.

For further information contact Tourism Tasmania's Communications Unit

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