Brisbane Marketing has won one of Australia’s most prestigious tourism accolades, taking out the top prize in the Visitor Information and Services category of the 2009 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.

The national award, which follows a win at the 2009 Queensland Tourism Awards in December, recognises the superior calibre of services and facilities provided by Brisbane Marketing’s Visitor Information and Booking Centre.

On hearing the news, Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said the award win was the pinnacle of achievement for the team operating out of the Queen Street Mall-based Centre.

“The staff and volunteers of the Brisbane Visitor Information and Booking Centre are Brisbane’s frontline face of tourism and they work tirelessly to help tourists make the most of their Brisbane experience,” said Cr Newman.

“Each day this vitally important front door to Brisbane manages around 2,000 enquiries from people of all nationalities – tangible proof of Brisbane’s new world city appeal and Council’s vision for a regional and world city.”

Brisbane Marketing Chief Executive Officer John Aitken said the award win was made all the more gratifying given the strong field of competition and the challenges faced by the local tourism industry during the 2008-09 awards period.

“In a tough economic climate, the Centre – which is mostly staffed by volunteers – increased its sales revenue by more than 16 per cent,” said Mr Aitken.

“At the same time, the Centre retained its commitment to innovation and improved customer service by launching free guided Brisbane City walking tours, increasing the range of bookable product on offer and expanding the Roving City Ambassadors Program of on-the-street tourist information.

“Brisbane Marketing is committed to positioning Brisbane as Australia’s new world city and our Visitor Information and Booking Centre does an exceptional job of showcasing the region’s many attractions – from inner-city adventure experiences, to wining, dining and shopping in our urban villages, to scenic explorations of our beaches, bayside and rural regions.”

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