The TNQ Tourism Industry Excellence Awards

The TNQ Tourism Industry Excellence Awards celebrate the achievements and successes within the Tropical North Queensland tourism industry. The TTNQ Board recognises the products and people who have made their mark on the region’s tourism industry over the past year. Stay tuned for 2022!

AWARD CATEGORIES FOR 2021

Life Member

Recognises a long period of dedicated commitment to tourism in Tropical North Queensland and acknowledges the personal achievements of the inductee in the tourism industry.
*Board appointed award

Chair’s Award of Excellence

Recognises a project, initiative, product or service that has made a huge impact and contribution to the tourism industry in Tropical North Queensland.
*Chosen by the TTNQ Chair with the support of the Board

Outstanding Contribution by an Individual

Recognises the extraordinary personal and professional achievement by an individual over many years to the Australian, and particularly the Queensland tourism industry.
*Board appointed award

Young Achiever Excellence Award

Recognises an individual under the age of 35 who has made a significant contribution to the tourism industry in Tropical North Queensland and to the development of their community.
*Nominated award, selected by an Awards Panel

Customer Service Excellence Award 

Recognising excellence in customer service.
*Nominated award, selected by an Awards Panel

The Year of Indigenous Tourism Excellence Award *NEW*

Recognises the contribution to the tourism industry by an indigenous-owned experience in Tropical North Queensland.
*Nominated award, selected by an Awards Panel

Best of Queensland Experience Program Recognition of Excellence *NEW*

Recognises the hard work of tourism operators who have achieved top scores in the Best of Queensland Experience Program.
*Based on BoQEP results for 2021

 

Submissions for the awards are now closed.

Submit a Nomination

Nominate >

2021 Customer Service Excellence

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2021 Young Achiever Excellence

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2021 Year of Indigenous Tourism Excellence

Past Winners

2021

  • Life Members – Stephen Gregg and Wendy Morris
  • Chair’s Award of Excellence – Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF)
  • Outstanding Contribution by an Individual, sponsored by Cairns Regional Council – James Dixon
  • Year of Indigenous Tourism Award, Sponsored by Bang Media – Juan Walker, Walkabout Cultural Adventures
  • Young Achiever Excellence Award – Weiqing Jacky Ni
  • Customer Service Excellence Award – Shanice Dale
  • Best of Queensland Experience Excellence Award – Back Country Bliss Adventures

 

2019

  • Life Member – Ross Steele
  • Chair’s Award of Excellence, sponsored by Cairns Regional Council – Crystalbrook Collection
  • Outstanding Contribution by an Individual – Tony Baker
  • Innovation Excellence Award, sponsored by Cairns Airport – Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
  • Young Achiever Excellence Award, sponsored by HostPlus – Jana Stankovich
  • Customer Service Excellence Award – Deborah Ieri, Small World Journeys & Malcolm Rothall, Bad Fishy Jet Boating

 

2018

  • Life Member – Gary Young
  • Chair’s Award of Excellence, sponsored by Cairns Regional Council – IRONMAN
  • Outstanding Contribution by an Individual – Paula Wallace
  • Innovation Excellence Award, sponsored by Cairns Airport – Reef Restoration Foundation
  • Young Achiever Excellence Award, sponsored by HostPlus – Jasmine Porteous
2021 Image Gallery
2019 Image Gallery
2018 Image Gallery

#ExploreTNQ

tropicalnorthqueensland

If you can think of the perfect place to relax & soak up some vitamin D, we’ll beat it by 10% 😉☀️ Wedged neatly between the Coral Sea & the @wettropicsworldheritage area lies the ...

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If you can think of the perfect place to relax & soak up some vitamin D, we’ll beat it by 10% 😉☀️ Wedged neatly between the Coral Sea & the @wettropicsworldheritage area lies the secluded #EllisBeach, just five minutes north of #PalmCove along the Captain Cook Highway 🐚🚙 Talk about a good place to spend the holidays 🌴 If the relaxed atmosphere is to your liking, stay a while at the Ellis Beach Oceanfront Bungalows & stop in at the @ellisbeachbargrill for a tasty meal (plus cheap oysters on Sundays! 🦪) 📸 @josh_burkinshaw #exploreTNQ #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #explorecairnsGBR [ID: palm trees on the edge of a beach, with a person standing in the distance]

tropicalnorthqueensland

New life guard on duty for the school holidays 🌴😉

This feathered fellow decided to give @lifeguardmaxi a break and take over patrolling the beach at #EttyBay 🏖

There’s ...

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New life guard on duty for the school holidays 🌴😉 This feathered fellow decided to give @lifeguardmaxi a break and take over patrolling the beach at #EttyBay 🏖 There’s not many places you can spot the elusive Southern Cassowary as you stroll along the beach, but @tropicalnorthqueensland is one of them! 🏝 Did you know that there are approximately 700 plant species endemic to the @wettropicsworldheritage area? And almost 100 species that heavily depend on the cassowary to distribute their seeds 🌴😲 #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia

tropicalnorthqueensland

Boat parties in @portdouglasdaintree is where it’s at 🥳

Whether you’re heading out on a guided river tour or hiring your own boat, there’s no better way to spend the day than ...

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Boat parties in @portdouglasdaintree is where it’s at 🥳 Whether you’re heading out on a guided river tour or hiring your own boat, there’s no better way to spend the day than exploring the waterways of the tropics 🌱 What’s your favourite boating pastime? Ours is croc-spotting! 🐊 📸 @jennsomewhere #exploreTNQ #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #explorecairnsgbr [ID: two people on a boat floating down a river with trees either side]

tropicalnorthqueensland

Nope, you're not flicking through the pages of @natgeo, although we wouldn’t blame you for thinking you were 💫🌴 Deep within a 180 million-year-old rainforest, where ​the Kuku Yalanji ...

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Nope, you're not flicking through the pages of @natgeo, although we wouldn’t blame you for thinking you were 💫🌴 Deep within a 180 million-year-old rainforest, where ​the Kuku Yalanji people have roamed for more than 50,000 years lies the pristine waters & stunning views of #MossmanGorge 🍃💦 Before you explore emerald green waters flowing over smooth, granite boulders enveloped by ancient tropical rainforest, head off on a Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk, peruse the gallery or sample the local food at @mossmangorge centre 🌿🎨🦖  #exploreTNQ #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #explorecairnsGBR [ID: man sitting in clear water at Mossman Gorge, in front of boulders with a stream running between them. The area is surrounded by lush rainforest.]

tropicalnorthqueensland

You don’t need any special talents to be talent for @tropicalnorthqueensland! 📸

For all those people that love being in front of the camera, it’s your time to shine! We’re looking ...

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You don’t need any special talents to be talent for @tropicalnorthqueensland! 📸 For all those people that love being in front of the camera, it’s your time to shine! We’re looking for fresh faces to feature in new content to promote the tropics and our incredible experiences 🌴 We feature people from all walks of life in our content, so no matter who you are or where you come from we’d love to hear from you 🦋 Register your interest now 👉 tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au/tnq-talent-scout

tropicalnorthqueensland

Ever wanted to visit an outback oasis in @tropicalnorthqueensland? Then #LawnHillGorge in Boodjamulla National Park is the place to be! 🏜

You’ll find this beauty along the ...

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Ever wanted to visit an outback oasis in @tropicalnorthqueensland? Then #LawnHillGorge in Boodjamulla National Park is the place to be! 🏜 You’ll find this beauty along the @savannah_way_australia, boasting vivid organ sandstone cliffs, towering above the emerald green lime-rich waters of Lawn Hill Creek🚙🍃 Paddle through the lily-clad waters of the creek, explore hidden waterfalls or take a walk down memory lane & learn about ancient fossils & the local Aboriginal culture 🛶🦕 ​ Boodjamulla National Park is home to freshwater crocodiles - while freshwater crocs are typically shy & will stay away people. Please be respectful while exploring their habitat. Remember to listen to your guides, obey any warning signs & keep your distance from wildlife 🌴 📸 @phlipvids #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia