Six winners who took out eight categories between them at the 2006 Southern Cross Television Outback Queensland Tourism Awards at the weekend will help represent the region at next week's state awards.

Tourism Minister Margaret Keech said today 13 Outback tourism operators would vie for recognition with the rest of the state at the 22^nd annual Queensland Tourism Awards, in Brisbane on Friday, 17 November.

"I would particularly like to acknowledge Outback at Isa who won the top honours in three categories on Saturday night and a fourth for Best Submission, as well as Inflight Magazine, Outback Aussie Tours, the Overlander's Way, Australia's Dinosaur Trail and Argylla Tourist Park," Mrs Keech said.

"They are all worthy competitors in their respective categories at a state level when they join the other nominations in representing the Outback region.

"The Outback Queensland Tourism Authority certainly excelled in organising and hosting the evening, which was a huge success.

"Whether at a regional or at a state level, awards serve to recognise and reward excellence and are a tremendous way to say 'thanks' to operators and their staff for their hard work and enthusiasm.

"All the winners next week will continue on to represent Queensland at the national tourism awards held in February next year."

The Queensland Tourism Awards are organised each year by Tourism Queensland and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council.

Around 1,200 tourism leaders and representatives are expected to attend the gala event, which this year will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

For further information, visit www.queenslandtourismawards .com.au.