Last night Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre took out two awards at the 2013 Canberra and Capital Region Tourism Awards, winning the Tourist Attraction and Tourism Education Program categories.
Questacon’s iconic science centre in the Parliamentary Zone is one of Canberra’s leading tourist attractions, welcoming over 400 000 visitors annually, including more than 130 000 students from across Australia.
“These awards are recognition of the consistently high quality experiences we strive to deliver, both for families visiting the ACT and school groups rounding off civics and citizenship excursions with a visit to Questacon,” said Craig Whelan, Manager for Visitor Engagement.
In accepting the awards, Questacon acknowledged industry partners: the National Capital Attractions Association, National Capital Educational Tourism Project, and 3infun partners, Cockington Green Gardens and the Australian Institute of Sport.
“This honour is highly valued, especially in this Centenary of Canberra year and Questacon’s own 25th Anniversary as the National Science and Technology Centre. Since opening in 1988, we have continuously evolved and improved our exhibits and programmes to ensure there’s always something new for visitors,” said Mr Whelan.
“Also this year we opened a second facility, the Questacon Technology Learning Centre, to deliver technology education programmes for secondary students. This adds significantly to our educational tourism offerings.”
Questacon engages people of all ages and lets them experience science in extraordinary ways. The National Science and Technology Centre features over 200 exhibits in eight themed galleries. Visitors can free-fall down a six metre slide, go head over heels on the 360 Swing, experience an earthquake or challenge a robot to a game of air hockey.
Questacon reaches more than three million people annually through a range of inspirational experiences delivered at the two Canberra facilities, through national outreach programmes and travelling exhibitions, educational videoconferences and online. 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 2013 Australian Tourism Awards in Sydney on 7 February 2014.
Media contact: Annie Harris, Senior Communications Advisor – Media, 0439 399 912
