Friday 7 October 2016
The 10th anniversary of the Alice Springs Airport Tourism Central Australia Awards was held at a 'secret location' in the heart of the Red Centre. The location was revealed on the night to be the stunning Rocky Hill Table Grape Farm. 240 guests celebrated the tourism industry in Central Australia in a magical vineyard lit with festoon lighting, and under a thousand stars.
"Tonight was a fantastic celebration hosted in a vineyard that many people did not know existed in Alice Springs", says Chairperson Dale McIver.
"The secret location proved to be a hit and many people were guessing all the way up to the big reveal.
"As the region’s peak tourism body, we are proud to promote the achievements and hard work of our tourism businesses and leaders."
Northern Territory Tourism & Culture Minister Lauren Moss MLA was proud to be part of a fantastic evening in Alice Springs.
"The tourism industry plays such an integral role in Central Australia - it celebrates the lifestyle, opportunity and beauty of one of the most incredible destinations on the planet," she said.
"To hear the stories of success in the industry was inspiring and to see that hard work and effort rewarded was a very special moment for me.
"I'd like to congratulate all the winners and nominees from the Alice Springs Airport Tourism Central Australia Awards."
One of the night's special guests was the Federal Shadow Minister for Tourism, the Hon. Anthony Albanese MP.
"The Federal Government has a responsibility to support this vital industry, which contributes so much to our nation," he said.
"The tourism sector makes a massive difference - not just to the Australian economy, but also to communities such as those in Central Australia that rely on tourism for their livelihood.
"I’m proud to have been able to participate in these terrific awards, which acknowledge current best practice but encourage even better practice in the future."
Across 10 categories, there were 40 nominations throughout the wider Central Australian region including Alice Springs, Kings Canyon and Uluru. The categories were competitive and the quality of nominations made this year's judging challenging. One new category was introduced to encourage budding new tourism businesses.
Wayne 'Krafty' Kraft, Ambassador for Alice Springs was named the 2016 recipient of the Barry Bucholtz Award for Excellence. Krafty owned the Overlanders Steakhouse in Alice Springs for over 25 years before selling it in 2015. The memorabilia that he collected over time, set the steakhouse up as a living museum of the pioneering cattle industry in the region. It has become an attraction for many visitors to the region.
Krafty has also appeared in many tourism campaigns promoting Central Australia and has made national TV appearances and at interstate functions cooking his famous 'Jurassic camel legs'. His larrikin and laidback attitude has made him an endearing personality within the tourism industry locally and nationally.
Tourism Central Australia would like to congratulate all the winners and nominees for their hard work and achievements over the past 12 months.
2016 Tourism Central Australia Award Winners
Australian Transit Group Downunder Young Achiever Award
Monica Foster, SEIT Outback Australia
New Tourism Innovation Award
Dreamtime Escarpment @Kings Creek Station
Centralian Advocate Festivals & Events Award
Bruce Munro's Field of Light, Voyages Ayers Rock Resort
(Commended: Desert Mob 2016, Araluen Arts Centre & Desart)
Imparja Small Tourism Operator Award
Uluru Camel Tours
Yubu Napa Large Tourism Operator Award
Voyages Ayers Rock Resort
Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services Award
RT Tours
Centrecorp Indigenous Tourism Award
SEIT Outback Australia
New Tourism Business Award
Outback Elite Tours
Voyages Ayers Rock Resort Industry Achiever Award
Wayne Thompson, Australian Transit Group Downunder
Barry Bucholtz Award for Excellence
Wayne 'Krafty' Kraft
Media Enquiries:
Paige Nguyen
(08) 8959 1632
0433 048 877
paige.nguyen@discoverca.com.au 
