Crocodile Dundee to be honoured for Australian tourism campaign

The 73-year-old actor and comedian first rose to fame in Australia as a comedian and sketch performer but became known around the world thanks to his role in the now infamous 'shrimp on the barbie' Australian tourism campaign.

Mr Hogan's worldwide fame hit new levels as the crocodile hunter Mick 'Crocodile' Dundee in the eponymous film series, beginning in 1986 but it is his contribution to the tourism industry which will be honoured at the 10th anniversary G'Day USA gala.

The 'shrimp on the barbie' campaign promoted Australia as a tourism destination for Americans for the first time and has led to American tourists contributing tens of millions of dollars to the Australian economy every year.

"As we celebrate 10 years of G'Day and look to the next 10 years, we are pleased to honour Paul Hogan with our first icon award," said Wally Mariani, organising committee chairman of the G'Day USA gala, which promotes all things Australia  at 25 events across the US.

"The founding partners of G'Day USA are extremely proud of the proven success of the program in generating business and trade opportunities and expanding political and cultural links between Australia and the United States."

A spokesperson for Tourism Australia said the gala goes 'well beyond just the tourism sector' and does much to promote business and other profitable relationships between the two countries.

Mr Hogan will join previous honourees such as Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman and Naomi Watts.