Voyages Ayers Rock Resort in Australia's Red Centre has been awarded the Qantas Australian Tourism Award for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tourism for the third year in a row, gaining entry into the coveted Australian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame. 

On receiving the award Andrew Williams, Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia's Chief Executive Officer, commented: “It is the third consecutive year that Ayers Rock Resort has received this accolade and we are extremely gratified to have entered the prestigious Hall of Fame. Voyages is dedicated to providing guests with authentic Indigenous experiences and creating opportunities for Indigenous Australians through cultural tourism. To consistently be awarded the highest honour in the country for this category is a great endorsement of our success. 

“We are also delighted that Voyages Mossman Gorge Centre in Far North Queensland was also Bronze award winner in this category, making a very strong result for the Voyages Group.” 

Sponsored by Qantas, the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tourism Award highlights tourism operations that demonstrate authenticity and integrity in fostering a greater understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, history and traditions. 

Ayers Rock Resort was recognised for its significant achievements in Indigenous Tourism, now offering a Resort experience befitting the iconic destination of Uluru. Guests enjoy a daily suite of free Indigenous cultural activities that include bush yarns, garden walks, dance and theatre performances and more. The Resort has also made significant advances in Indigenous training and development through its National Indigenous Training Academy as well as employment, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff now representing 36% of the total workforce. 

Tourism Australia Managing Director John O'Sullivan commented: “Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia deserves huge credit for the way they've led our industry in enabling Indigenous Australians to share their culture and tell their stories, both to Australians and increasing numbers of travellers from overseas. 

“The investment they've put into tourism product has always been matched by their investment in their people, and the rewards are very evident to see, most recently with Field of Light. To win this award for the third time is a remarkable achievement and gaining entry to the Hall of Fame is something the whole team should be very proud of,” he said. 

Other finalists in the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tourism category were Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia's Mossman Gorge Centre (QLD), Ngurrangga Tours (WA), Aboriginal Cultural Tours (SA), Worn Gundidj at Tower Hill (VIC) and Sand Dune Adventures (NSW). 

The Australian Tourism Awards were established by the Federal Government in 1985 and are the tourism industry's peak awards, celebrating and promoting excellence in tourism.

ENDS

About Ayers Rock Resort

Ayers Rock Resort provides a variety of accommodation from the premium Sails in the Desert Hotel, award-winning Desert Gardens Hotel, self-contained Emu Walk Apartments, the authentic Outback Pioneer Hotel and Lodge and Ayers Rock Campground. Ayers Rock Resort is managed by Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia.

About Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia

Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) and manages tourism and resorts on its behalf. Voyages offers unique experiences and cultural immersion in spectacular locations around Australia including Ayers Rock Resort in the Northern Territory, Home Valley Station in The Kimberley in Western Australia and the Mossman Gorge Centre, in Tropical North Queensland.

One of the key responsibilities of Voyages is to promote and sustain eco tourism, protecting pristine sites for many years to come. Voyages works collaboratively with local communities to assist them to exercise sustainable environmental tourism practices, respecting and supporting the local Indigenous cultures and offering employment and training opportunities to the local and broader Australian and Torres-Strait Islander Indigenous communities

Profits from all business activities are re-invested in the Indigenous and resort experiences and through the various training and development programs in place around Australia.