Canberra Region’s best of the tourism industry were tonight celebrated at the biggest night on the tourism events calendar, the Canberra Region Tourism Awards. The awards ceremony was held at the Hyatt Hotel Canberra, Friday 24th November, in what can only be described as a ‘night of nights’.
“A huge congratulations goes out to all our entrants this year! It’s been wonderful to have everyone gather to recognise excellence in tourism, particularly when capacity to write and commit to the process proved harder than previous years for many.” said Dr Naomi Dale, Chief Executive Officer of the Canberra Region Tourism Industry Council.
“It’s fantastic to connect and celebrate all our achievements along with the winners and commendations for each category. We are so thrilled to say Canberra Region has winners from 10 categories who will now go on to represent the Canberra Region at the Australian Tourism Awards being held in Darwin in March 2024.
“New to entering the Awards, GoBoat Australia took out a win and two commendations respectively across a number of categories including best Tour and Transport Operator, Ecotourism and Tourism Retail and Hire services.”
“The National Dinosaur Museum won best Tourist Attraction, with the Multicultural Festival taking out the win for Major Festivals and Events. The local categories certainly delivered with Dr Mathew Trinca AM from the National Museum of Australia taking out the Outstanding Contribution by an Individual award, and in the inaugural Natasha Watson Women in Tourism Award the deserved winner was Dorothy Barclay from Forrest Hotel.”
Other award winners on the night included the National Arboretum for Ecotourism; Lights on the Lake (National Capital Authority) for Festivals and Events; Royal Australian Mint for Cultural Tourism, Canberra & Region Visitors Centre for Visitor Information Services and Alivio Tourist Park for the Caravan and Holiday Parks category.
VisitCanberra were the awards’ major sponsor, with support from the National Capital Attractions Association. The full list of award categories, winners and commendations can be viewed below.
Canberra Region Tourism Awards 2023 – Results
2. Tourist Attractions: National Dinosaur Museum – Winner
3. Major Festivals and Events: Multicultural Festival – Winner
3. Major Festivals and Events: DESIGN Canberra Festival – Commendation
4. Festivals and Events: Lights on the Lake (NCA) – Winner
5. Ecotourism: National Arboretum Canberra – Winner
5. Ecotourism: GoBoat Australia – Commendation
6. Cultural Tourism: Royal Australian Mint – Winner
8. Tourism Retail and Hire Services: The National Museum Shop at the National Museum of Australia – Winner
8. Tourism Retail and Hire Services: GoBoat Australia – Commendation
9. Visitor Information Services: Canberra & Region Visitors Centre – Winner
12. Tour and Transport Operators: GoBoat Australia – Winner
15. Tourism Restaurants and Catering: Marble & Grain – Commendation
17. Caravan and Holiday Parks: Alivio Tourist Park – Winner
19. Unique Accommodation: Jamala Wildlife Lodge – Winner
21. 3-3.5 Star Accommodation: Mercure Canberra – Commendation
22. 4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation: Deco Hotel Canberra – Commendation
23. 5 Star Luxury Accommodation: Hyatt Hotel Canberra – Commendation
Local Categories
27. Outstanding Contribution by an Individual: Dr Mathew Trinca AM | National Museum of Australia – Winner
28. Young Achiever: Malakai Yeomans | DOMA – Winner
29. Canberra Region Resilience and Innovation: Scott Leggo – Winner
30. Natasha Watson Women in Tourism: Dorothy Barclay | Forrest Hotel – Winner