Industry leaders celebrated at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards

As Australia's tourism continues to break records, hundreds of industry leaders have been recognised at the 2017 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.

Members of Australia's tourism industry gathered at the industry's premier awards program in Perth to celebrate the outstanding achievements of more than 200 finalists across 25 categories.

The awards come at a time when Australian tourism continues to break records. A record $41.2 billion was spent by more than eight million international visitors during the record 268 million nights they stayed in Australia in the year to September 2017. It also follows the recent launch of the viral Crocodile Dundee tourism campaign.

The prestigious awards, which offered a chance for the industry to reflect on the hard work and contributions of its members over the last year.

Australia's tourism industry is critical to the nation's economy with growth at record levels. Australian tourism is worth $125 billion and directly employs almost 600,000 Australians. Every dollar spent in tourism generates 81 cents in other parts of the economy, higher than mining and agriculture.

It is also a crucial driver of growth in our country's regional centres, with 43 cents of every tourist dollar spent in regional Australia.

The Turnbull Coalition Government recognises the contribution of tourism to our economy, that's why we have delivered record funding to Tourism Australia, because more tourists means more jobs.

A full list of finalists and winners is available at www.qualitytourismaustralia.com/australian-tourism-awards/2017-awards/.