The Tweed Takes Gold in Tourism Marketing and Celebrates National Success at the Australian Tourism Awards
The Tweed region is celebrating a sweep of wins at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, held in Adelaide on Friday 21 March, including a consecutive GOLD win for The Tweed Tourism Company:
GOLD: The Tweed Tourism Company – Tourism Marketing & Campaigns
SILVER: Northern Rivers Rail Trail – Tourist Attractions
BRONZE: Potager – A Kitchen Garden – Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services
The Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, now in their 40th year, are the industry’s peak national awards, celebrating excellence in tourism with leading Australian businesses vying for top honours across 26 categories.
Presented by Tourism Australia, the Gold for Tourism Marketing & Campaigns was taken out for the second year running by The Tweed Tourism Company amongst an impressive national field and ahead of Rottnest Island (WA) and Barossa Australia (SA).
The Tweed Tourism Company won Gold for their 2024 momentum campaign strategy which focused on growing overnight visitor expenditure through targeting new source markets. Increasing domestic overnight visitor expenditure is a key objective of The Tweed’s Destination Management Plan 2024-2030.
Also celebrating on the night was the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, awarded Silver in the Tourist Attractions category and Potager – A Kitchen Garden, awarded Bronze for Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services.
Sally Scott, General Manager of The Tweed Tourism Company, said that winning Gold and being recognised on the national stage once again was an incredibly valued accolade and reflects the consistently high calibre of tourism collaboration and innovation across the region.
“To be awarded Gold for the second year running at the national level is incredibly exciting for our team and is a true celebration of the collective work of the region’s tourism operators and our great partnership with the Tweed Shire Council,” Ms Scott said.
“For our Tweed marketing campaign to be recognised as the best in Australia once again, especially amongst so many stellar destinations and products, is affirmation of The Tweed’s place as one of the country’s leading tourism regions.”
“We are incredibly proud of the other brilliant Tweed tourism experiences that were also recognised at this year’s Australian Tourism Awards with the Northern Rivers Rail Trail winning Silver and Potager – A Kitchen Garden awarded Bronze in their respective categories.”
“These exceptional results for the Tweed are a shared accolade for all of our resilient tourism businesses who work hard every day to deliver incredible experiences for visitors to our region.”
Peter Burr, Owner of Potager said that that being recognised amongst Australia’s top 3 Tourism Restaurants was an incredible achievement.
“To be the number one Tourism Restaurant in NSW three years in a row, the number two Tourism Restaurant in Australia for two years and now awarded third in the country is something we could have only dreamed of when we started the business 9 years ago.”
“This award is testament to the hard work and dedication of my wonderful team, whose passion shines through in their food and service delivery. The Tweed is a remarkable place to live and work and we’re so proud of our contribution to visitor economy for the region”.
Northern Rivers Rail Trail Regional Lead, Dean Cooper said the national recognition is testament to the dedication and collaboration of everyone involved in bringing the Trail to life.
“Winning Silver at the Australian Tourism Awards is an incredible honour and a huge moment for the Northern Rivers Rail Trail,” Mr Cooper said.
“This award is shared with the many people who have championed the Trail over the years – our supporters, volunteers, community groups, businesses and local councils – who have worked tirelessly to see this vision become a reality.”
The Rail Trail has transformed the region’s historic rail corridor, providing a world-class experience that benefits both locals and visitors while injecting new energy into Northern Rivers communities.
Mayor of Tweed Shire, Chris Cherry said that the residents of Tweed would be proud their home was being recognised on the national stage.
“Everyone that lives here knows that the Tweed has a world-class tourism industry, facilities and natural beauty so I am delighted that we’ve had three outstanding local operators acknowledged in this way.”
“I congratulate Council’s tourism services provider The Tweed Tourism Company for bringing home Gold for the second year running in the highly competitive Tourism Marketing & Campaigns category. We’re very pleased that Council funds this excellent service.”
“I also congratulate Potager and the Northern Rivers Rail Trail for the innovation and resilience they have illustrated at a time which has been difficult for many parts of the tourism and hospitality industry. To see them thriving in this environment is testament to their creativity and hard work. Cyclone Alfred has taken a real toll on many of our tourism businesses and attractions including Potager and the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, so this recognition is even sweeter after these recent weather impacts.”
Managed by the Australian Tourism Industry Council, the Australian Tourism Awards are an annual celebration for all tourism businesses across the country to gather together and recognise outstanding achievements in customer service, innovation and resilience.
ENDS
Media enquiries: Louise Terry | lterry@thetweed.com.au | 0419 743 143
The Tweed Tourism Company is the official tourism development and destination marketing agency for The Tweed through a partnership with Tweed Shire Council.