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TNQ operators awarded

Tropical North Queensland operators took home 14 wins across 10 categories at the Queensland Tourism Industry Council’s Queensland Tourism Awards ceremony at the Cairns Convention Centre on Friday night.

QTIC hosted the awards in Cairns for the first time since 1997 and presented awards across 31 categories, all recognising Queensland’s ground-breaking tourism industry.

Tropical North Queensland’s success at the awards is supported by a 23.3 per cent increase in domestic tourists, meaning 2.5 million Australians chose to visit Tropical North Queensland over the last financial year.

QTIC Chief Executive Officer Brett Fraser said he was happy to see the great accomplishments of Tropical North Queensland at this year’s awards and believes it was well-deserved.

“The Tropical North Queensland tourism industry has had a busy year, so I am happy to see them win 14 awards at our Queensland Tourism Awards,” Mr Fraser said.

“According to Tourism Research Australia, Tropical North Queensland’s overnight visitor expenditure grew to an amazing $4.3 billion, which is almost 70 per cent higher than 2019, so it’s a no-brainer that its tourism industry was so well-recognised.

“Tropical North Queensland has so much to see and do and tourism is a vital part of its economy, so these awards are a testament of all the region has to offer.”

Congratulations to the Tropical North Queensland winners:

  • Cape York Peninsula Lodge received Gold for 4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Experiences
  • The Reef House Boutique Hotel and Spa received Gold for 5 Star Luxury Accommodation
  • Historic Village Herberton received Silver for Tourist Attractions
  • Tropic Wings Cairns Tours & Charters received Silver for Major Tour & Transport Operators
  • Barefoot Tours received Silver for the Steve Irwin Award for Ecotourism
  • Paronella Park received the RACQ Peoples Choice Award and Silver for Cultural Tourism
  • Daintree Discovery Centre received Bronze for Tourist Attractions and Bronze for the Steve Irwin Award for Ecotourism
  • Crankworx Cairns received Bronze for Festivals and Events
  • Cape York Camping Punsand Bay received Bronze for Caravan & Holiday Parks
  • Cape York Motorcycle Adventures received Bronze for Adventure Tourism
  • Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre received Bronze for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Experiences
  • Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort received Bronze for 4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation

There were 31 award categories across attractions, events, tour and transport operators, accommodation, restaurants, culture and marketing. Across the 31 categories, 78 operators were awarded including 31 Gold, 26 Silver and 20 Bronze.

Category winners will gain automatic entry into the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, which will be held in the Northern Territory on Friday 15 March 2024. Next year the Queensland Tourism Awards will be held at The Star in Brisbane.