Kittawa Lodge has been named New Tourism Business of the Year at the 2021 Tasmanian Tourism Awards.
The largest category of the night, with 11 incredible finalists spanning the full breadth of the tourism industry, the awards recognised businesses who had commenced operation in the last two years (as the awards were cancelled last year due to COVID).
The win is the first gold medal ever awarded to a King Island business at the Tasmanian Tourism Awards, and means Kittawa Lodge now represents Tasmania at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in the New Tourism Business of the Year category.
What was said about the win?
The Mercury, in its article of 8 November 2021, said:
“The award for Best New Tourism Business went to Kittawa Lodge on King Island, an honour Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said cemented the business’ reputation as one of the nation’s finest luxury accommodation retreats.
“This result says much about (King Island’s) evolution as a visitor destination, along with the courage and vision of those investors and tourism operators creating exceptional experiences on the island,” he said.
“Winning these awards is testament to the fact these operators have not stood still over these difficult months, but, rather, innovated, adapted, tried new things, entered new markets, and are all now coming through the other side of Covid with even more resilient tourism businesses,” Mr Martin said.
“That’s why these awards matter so much this year, and why, as an industry, we celebrate all our finalists for their resilience in the face of the most challenging business conditions any of us could imagine.””
Community response?
The King Island Courier , in its article of 11 November 2021, said:
“Font Publishing managing director Becher Townshend said he was fortunate to experience Kittawa first-hand during a recent visit to King Island.
“This sets a new standard for King Island tourism”, Mr Townshend said.
“It will bring a whole new level of people to the island.”
“It will attract high end travellers seeking an escape and is on the same level [of] luxury as experiences such as Saffire.”
“Once international borders open and overseas visitors get a taste for what is on offer here I have no doubt it will be in high demand.”
“This is the next level accommodation experience King Island has been looking for.””
