Western Australian professionals recognised for excellence in tourism

September 7, 2018

The outstanding contribution to the tourism industry of three individuals has been recognised this week at the 2018 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards.

Presented on Wednesday evening at the WA Tourism Conference Dinner, two new individual awards were introduced - recognising excellence in customer service and Aboriginal tourism - with the winners announced at the Dinner, alongside the winner of the Sir David Brand Young Achiever Medal.

The 2018 Perth Airport WA Tourism Award for Individual Excellence in Customer Service was awarded to Jo Naronha from Crown Perth, recognised for his personal and engaging customer service style while showing compassion and understanding.

In the 2018 Perth Airport WA Tourism Award for Individual Excellence in Aboriginal Tourism category, Ngurrangga Tours’ Clinton Walker was recognised as a proud advocate for Aboriginal culture and an outstanding contributor to the tourism industry.

The Sir David Brand Young Achiever Medal was awarded to Emily Allen from Tourism Western Australia. The judges commented that Emily was a dedicated and passionate young tourism professional with a long and successful career ahead.

Tourism Council WA Chief Executive Evan Hall said the new individual awards provided an opportunity to recognise the work being done, often behind-the-scenes, by people in the tourism industry across Western Australia.

Hall advised “we have so many bright and passionate people working hard every day to service visitors and create vibrant tourism product and experiences.

“Tonight’s awards pay homage to those who go above and beyond, and I congratulate all the winners and finalists.”

Hall said the finalists in the Individual Excellence in Aboriginal Tourism category showed that Western Australia offered fantastic Aboriginal tourism experiences, which many visitors to the State were seeking.

He added “while WA has amazing existing Aboriginal tourism product, we have so much potential to grow.

“Currently, a program to develop such experiences, the Aboriginal Tourism Development Program, administered by WAITOC and funded by the State Government, does not have funding beyond the end of this financial year.

“The tourism industry urges the State Government to commit to future funding for this program to ensure the development of more magnificent Aboriginal tourism experiences.”

The finalists in each category were:

Individual Excellence in Customer Service
• Tania Brown, Sandalford Wines
• Zac Leach, Pullman Resort Bunker Bay
• Steeve Lindecker, Crown Perth
• Jo Naronha, Crown Perth
• Craig Pullin, Beach House at Bayside
• Lori-Ann Shibish, Entopia Wines

Individual Excellence in Aboriginal Tourism
• Ted Carlton, Waringarri Aboriginal Arts
• Brian Lee, Kooljaman at Cape Leveque
• Walter McGuire, Go Cultural Tours
• Clinton Walker, Ngurrangga Tours
• Josh Whiteland, Koomal Dreaming

Sir David Brand Young Achiever Medal
• Emily Allen, Tourism Western Australia
• Jacqueline Baril, Eat The Street Walking Tours
• Warren Graham, Busselton Jetty

Images: Ngurrangga Tours’ Clinton Walker, recipient of the Perth Airport WA Tourism Award for Individual Excellence in Aboriginal Tourism category (top) and Evan Hall (below).

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29th June 2017 - 109,000 Western Australians employed in the tourism industry

2nd March 2017 - Tourism Council WA welcomes Liberal leader’s industry plans

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14th November 2016 - Investing in tourism could create 4,000 new jobs in Western Australia

22nd February 2016 - Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference heads to Bunbury

15th March 2015 - Creating winning alliances in Indigenous tourism

16th July 2014 - Tourism Australia celebrates achievements of Indigenous Tourism Champions

9th May 2014 - Tourism boost in austere Western Australian budget

25th March 2014 - Nautical events and adventure tourism will attract visitors to Perth

22nd January 2013 - Stakeholders welcome creation of Murujuga National Park

11th March 2011 - Busselton Says Goodbye to Nautical Lady

19th July 2010 - Demand for Australian Indigenous tourism

30th April 2008 - New five-year plan released by Tourism WA

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