Sea World on the Gold Coast has taken out the Major Tourist Attraction and Tourism Marketing and Promotional Campaigns categories in the 2001 Queensland Tourism Awards, for the second time only in the Award's history.

Sea World shares the unique double win with sister park, Warner Bros. Movie World who secured the titles back in 1994, and consolidates the Warner Village Theme Park Group's unique strength in delivering quality theme park entertainment.

Group CEO, John Menzies, attributes Sea World's win to an outstanding product mix which offers a unique combination of exciting entertainment and fun, intertwined with an educational theme.

"This distinctive experience of entertainment and education has maintained Sea World's position as Australia's most popular theme park for the past 30 years", he said. "It is fitting that both Awards recognise the park's efforts in presenting dynamic and exciting attractions and exhibits, including the new Polar Bear Shores - a world class facility to house the country's only two Polar bears, combining high educational benefit and quality entertainment."

Sea World's popularity is also highlighted by the park's extensive animal rescue and rehabilitation program, and presentation of a dedicated education program which welcomed over 25,000 teachers and school children in 2000.

"These are just some of the additional activities and services which the theme park undertakes and, combined with a high standard of staff excellence, are what make Sea World such a unique and successful tourism operator," commented Mr Menzies.

"Sea World's win guarantees automatic entry into the Australian Tourism Awards, to be held in Hobart in November this year."

-ENDS-

Further information Emma Bain Communication Executive Sea World (07) 5588 2222 or 0408 759 659

* IMAGES OF THE POLAR BEARS AND EXAMPLES OF POLAR BEAR SHORES MARKETING MATERIAL ARE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST