Last night Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre was awarded the 2015 Canberra and Capital Region Tourism Award in the Tourist Attraction category.
Questacon’s iconic science centre in the Parliamentary Zone is one of Canberra’s leading tourist attractions, welcoming over 450 000 visitors annually from across Australia.
Questacon Director Professor Graham Durant said the award recognised Questacon’s continued commitment to tourism in the region.
“Our tried-and-true formula of hands-on discovery coupled with exceptional customer service has provided a unique experience to millions of visitors since the Centre opened in 1988,” Professor Durant said.
“It has been a big week for science and innovation with the launch of the National Innovation and Science Agenda. It is now time for innovation in science tourism and during 2016 Questacon will be exploring how we can better promote all of the science attractions and look for opportunities in citizen science projects to allow visitors to spend more time in Canberra on scientific short breaks”. Professor Durant said.
“We also continually offer our visitors something new to see and do, from the recently-opened Spiders exhibition, to the innovative John Howard Walk of Wonder—an online walking tour revealing the science hidden throughout Canberra’s Parliamentary Zone”.
In accepting the Award, Professor Durant acknowledged Questacon’s tourism partners: the National Capital Attractions Association, National Capital Educational Tourism Project, and 3infun partners, Cockington Green Gardens and the Australian Institute of Sport.
Each year Questacon reaches more than three million people of all ages through a range of inspirational experiences delivered from two facilities in Canberra. Questacon’s programmes combine interactive entertainment and education to spark an interest in science and technology.
The annual Canberra and Capital Region Tourism Awards aim to showcase the best of the region’s tourist industry organisations and promotes, encourages and rewards tourism excellence.
Questacon will represent the Canberra and Capital Region at the 2015 Australian Tourism Awards in Melbourne on 5 February 2016.
Media contact: Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, Ph 02 6213 6308 or media@industry.gov.au
