Press Release

Sunday 9 December 2007

TOURISM TASMANIA WINS RAINBOW AWARD
Tourism Tasmania has been recognised for supporting community well-being at the annual Tasmanian Rainbow Awards, part of the International Human Rights Day celebrations.

The Rainbow Awards recognise and celebrate the contribution made by gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) people in Tasmania and to pay tribute to activity which rejects homophobia in our local communities.

The Minister for Tourism, Arts and the Environment welcomed the news of the award and said it is a wonderful acknowledgment of the work being done within the Tasmanian tourism industry to foster community harmony.

“The Community Well Being Award recognises the work of Tourism Tasmania in supporting the tourism industry and the community to create a climate where GLBTI people are accepted and celebrated as full, contributing and proud members of the general community,” Ms Wriedt said.

The Awards were presented at a gala dinner at the Waterfront Hotel in Bellerive last night in the lead up to International Human Rights Day on 10 December.

The annual Awards are presented to individuals and organisations for their outstanding achievements in supporting GLBTI people in the community.

Tourism Tasmania was nominated by Paul Dimmick, co-owner-operator of Huon Bush Retreats, for its work within the tourism industry to develop and promote gay-friendly holiday experiences in Tasmania.

“Tourism Tasmania is particularly effective at engaging the Australia-wide gay and lesbian community in its promotion of gay owner-operator and gay-friendly tourism services in a variety of ways throughout the State,” Mr Dimmick said.

“Tourism Tasmania has been working for a decade to engage with GLBTI people through a range of activities, including the formation of a gay and lesbian reference group, and the development and communication of ‘gay friendly’ guidelines for tourism operators.”

Workshops have also been held with the Gay & Lesbian Tourism Association (GALTA) to inform the industry of the value of the gay and lesbian market and how to market to it,” Ms Wriedt said.

Tourism Tasmania has undertaken its own marketing activities directed at the gay and lesbian market, including the production of the Gay and Lesbian Visitor’s Guide, advertising in key gay and lesbian publications, and the development of an online campaign to promote Tasmania as a gay-friendly destination.

“Events such as the recent Picnic in the Park at Adelaide’s premier gay and lesbian community event, Feast Festival, are an example of how Tourism Tasmania works with its partners to promote Tasmania as a gay-friendly holiday destination,” Ms Wriedt said.

For further information contact Tourism Tasmania's Communications Unit

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