Australia’s export tourism industry has recognised the outstanding contribution of its leaders at the annual Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) Excellence Awards held at the Darwin Convention Centre on Wednesday night.
The awards recognise the most outstanding contribution of an individual, young achiever of the year and other outstanding industry commitment, with this year’s Captain Trevor Haworth Outstanding Contribution by an Individual to the Tourism Export Industry won by North Queensland’s James Dixon from Down Under Tours.
“James is a true industry leader, having dedicated many years of service to a vast array of industry bodies from his local ATEC branch, the board of Tourism & Events Queensland, the FNQ Tour Operators Association and the Alliance for Sustainable Tourism,” ATEC Chairman Denis Pierce said.
L-R: Bridget Beddgood, James Dixon, Kelsie Johnston
“It’s people like James, people who contribute well beyond their own day to day business, who really drive our industry forward and he has made a strong contribution to the success of our industry in Queensland and nationally.”
The Len Taylor Young ATEC Award for Leadership for 2018 was awarded to Bridget Beddgood, from Hamilton Island who has been Instrumental in rebuilding the NSW ATEC Branch events schedule.
“As NSW Chair of YATEC and a participant in our ELITE Program, Bridget is dedicated to encouraging her peers to get involved with YATEC.
“She has also shown great dedication in coordinating an event with TAFE NSW, building the industry’s profile with the next generation of tourism industry leaders.”
This year’s Outstanding Contribution by an Individual was awarded to Tourism Western Australia’s Kelsie Johnston who has helped build a strong and productive relationship between the STO and ATEC and was a key driver in securing ATEC’s Meeting Place event held in Perth in 2017.
“Kelsie was instrumental in establishing the first STO partnership for ATEC’s BRITE program and encouraged numerous WA products to engage with the program, helping them to become trade and export ready.
“She is very committed to the success of the WA Branch and is a central figure in building good communications with Tourism WA and in developing events with ATEC that encourage the growth of export tourism in the state.”
ATEC’s Branch of the Year was awarded to Western Australia.
“Congratulations to all this year’s award winners. You are the people who work each day make our industry vibrant and successful,” Mr Pierce said.
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