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Joel Bowden

Minister for Tourism and Hospitality

Media Release

Desert light show shines bright at 2023 Brolga Awards

12 November 2023

A spectacular drone show, Wintjiri Wiru, featuring 1200 lightweight drones along with light projections in the skies above Uluru has emerged as a standout performer at the 36th Brolga Northern Territory Tourism Awards.

Held last night at the Darwin Convention Centre, the NT Brolga Awards is the Territory’s tourism industry's night of nights with 28 businesses, organisations and individuals crowned winners.

Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia’s Wintjiri Wiru, which means beautiful view out to the horizon, won best Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experience as well as being crowned the Chair’s Choice for Tourism Excellence.

Darwin Waterfront took the best Major Tourist Attraction with Darwin Festival crowned best Major Festival after winning the same award in 2022.

For the 5th consecutive year Katherine Outback Experience has won best Tourism Attraction, and also won the new category Excellence in Accessible Tourism.

Sab Lord and Ann-Maree Grant of Lords Kakadu and Arnhemland Safaris received the highest individual accolade, jointly receiving the Tourism Minister’s Perpetual Trophy in recognition of their dedication and commitment to Territory tourism.

Brolga Award winner highlights include:

· New Tourism Business Category awarded to Art Tours of Australia

· New Northern Territory People’s Choice Tripadvisor / Shiji ReviewPro awarded to Top Didj Cultural Experience and Art Gallery

· Tourism Industry Employee Award went to Dimitrios Georgakis of H on Mitchell

· Matt Mulga received the George Dunne Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual for his long-standing commitment to the tourism industry; and

· Snapper Rocks received the Tourism Business Growth Award. This award recognises a business that identified smart investments and decisions along with clear opportunities for further business growth.

A total of 22 NT business category winners from the 2023 Brolga Awards will represent the Territory at the Australian Tourism Awards, with Darwin the host city for the national awards on 15 March 2024.

Quotes to attribute to Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Joel Bowden:

“Congratulations to all of the winners tonight, the NT Brolga Awards are the tourism industry’s highest accolade and you all represent our very best tourism product and services in the Territory.

“It’s fantastic to see the passion and excellence of our local tourism operators and I’m honoured to congratulate all finalists and winners – each of you play an integral role in promoting the Northern Territory as a must visit destination.”

Ends.

Media Notes –

Attachments: 2023 Brolga Award winners list and selection of product images courtesy of Tourism NT is available here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/356oua9kmg3jk0qjien8z/h?rlkey=k5fukj01mxrj1hja1sleb8vk2&dl=0 [https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/356oua9kmg3jk0qjien8z/h?rlkey=k5fukj01mxrj1hja1sleb8vk2&dl=0]

Winners Contacts:

Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia – Wintjiri Wiru , Anna Bathgate 0409 340 729 [anna.bathgate@voyages.com.au]

Katherine Outback Experience, Annabel Curtain 042 8301 580

[annabel@katherineoutback.com.au]

Sab Lord and Ann-Maree Grant, [lordsntsafaris@gmail.com]

Art Tours of Australia, Anna Dakin 0477 223 011 [anna-dakin@outlook.com]

Top Didj Cultural Experience and Art Gallery, Petrena Ariston 0422 495 230 [sales@topdidj.com]

Snapper Rocks, David Robinson 0401 723 906 [david@hottamale.net.au]

Background

Brolga Awards are open to NT tourism and hospitality operators, industry suppliers and outstanding individuals. Winners of the Brolga Awards business categories (1-26) represent the NT at the Australian Tourism Awards. Submissions are judged by an independent judging panel.

Northern Territory Government

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