The Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP, has congratulated the Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa on being judged the 'World's Leading Eco Lodge' at the World Travel Awards in London.
Minister Ferguson said: "The World Travel Awards acknowledge excellence across the global tourism industry and it is wonderful to see Australian businesses recognised.
"The future success of Australia's travel and tourism sectors depends upon the development of high quality and innovative product and services and pioneering companies such as the Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa are to be commended.
"This business should be very proud to have its commitment to excellence recognised in such a forum.
"More importantly, this recognition is a welcome boost for the entire Tropical North Queensland tourism industry, which has had a very tough year in 2009 due to the impact of the global recession."
The Australian Government is very pleased to be supporting Australian tourism operators through the recently-announced $9 million boost to tourism marketing to promote business travel throughout Australia and increase international arrivals from short-haul destinations.
Tourism Australia and 94 partner organisations have also invested almost $4 million to separate hard-working Australians their 123 million days of accrued leave, worth around $33 billion.
Minister Ferguson said: "Australians have earned the right to take a holiday, and the recognition achieved by the Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa today will help put Australian destinations at the top of the destination wish-list.
"With Christmas around the corner, Australians should be investigating the quality tourism products available throughout all Australian states and territories and supporting the 500,000 Australians which this important industry directly employs."