THE BIG4 chain of caravan and holiday parks will feature prominently at this year's national tourism awards.

It crushed the opposition in the caravan and tourist park category at the state and territory rounds of the awards, grabbing six out of seven top places and reinforcing its position as a leading holiday park operator in Australia.

The six winners were BIG4 Beacon Resort (VIC); BIG4 Deniliquin Paringa Holiday Park (NSW); BIG4 Renmark Riverfront Holiday Park (SA); BIG4 St Helens Holiday Park (TAS); Beachlands Holiday Park (WA), and BIG4 MacDonnell Range Holiday Park (NT).

The only state where a BIG4 Holiday Park did not win an award was Queensland, the first time since 2004.

BIG4 chief executive officer Terry Goodall believed tourism awards provided well-deserved recognition for park owners and operators who worked exceptionally hard to maintain the standard that set his organisation apart from its competitors.

"We strive to provide our guests with a unique holiday experience," he said. "This sees us attracting new guests while ensuring our current guests continue to choose BIG4. These six award-winning parks are testament to the quality of parks in our family and we are proud they wear the BIG4 name."

BIG4 Holiday Parks’ dedication to offering a high standard of product was reflected in the group’s overall success.

Despite the economic climate, BIG4 Holiday Parks has increased its revenue by 5.3 per cent in the last financial year to more than $250 million.

The introduction of an online booking system in September, 2008, has aided this success, earning the group more than $7 million in bookings – mostly from a non-traditional customer base.

The six award-winning BIG4 Holiday Parks will be in the running to take out the National Tourism Award in Hobart on February 26.

BACK TO CARAVANNING NEWS MAIN PAGE