The contributions of outgoing tourism minister Martin Ferguson have been recognised by the Australian Tourism Export Council following his decision to quit the cabinet in the wake of last week's failed leadership coup.
In a statement, ATEC managing director, Felicia Mariani, described Ferguson's impact over the last five years as "enormous".
The industry has benefited greatly from his "focus, dedication and vision," she said.
"Mr Ferguson has helped to bring the various state and federal entities together in order to focus our industry on a long term strategy to overcome some of the issues that have held it back in the past," Mariani said.
ATEC chairman John King said Ferguson would be "sorely missed".
"He will be particularly remembered for his passion and drive for the development of the important Chinese tourism market to Australia and for the greater involvement and employment of Indigenous people in tourism," he said.
Ferguson said he felt that standing down was the "only honourable thing to do", confirming he had hoped Kevin Rudd would lead the party in the election later this year.
He described tourism as "the often forgotten part of my portfolio" but nonetheless saw it was one his major achievements.
"We have stopped industry from thinking that more money on advertising will simply work," he said.
