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
2021 Customer Service Excellence
2021 Young Achiever Excellence
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
#ExploreTNQ
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 ...
![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]](https://tourism.tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
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 ...

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 ...
![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]](https://tourism.tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
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 ...
![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.]](https://tourism.tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
Just hanging out between two world heritage areas 💁♀️🍃
Swing (haha) back in time while you visit @portdouglasdaintree and discover why people think of this place as the modern ...
![Just hanging out between two world heritage areas 💁♀️🍃
Swing (haha) back in time while you visit @portdouglasdaintree and discover why people think of this place as the modern day Jurassic Park (sans escaped dinosaurs) 🦖 Though we do still have some dinosaur-esque creatures still roaming the ancient rainforest with thousands of bird species, animals and reptiles 🌴🙌
📸 @flora.cann #exploreTNQ #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #explorecairnsGBR
[ID: woman swinging from rope attached to palm tree on a beach in front of tropical rainforest.]](https://tourism.tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
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 ...

@tropicalnorthqueensland is home to some monumental mountains ⛰ Bartle Frere & Bellenden Ker dominate the podium, but #MountMulligan is just as paparazzi-worthy 🎥 Hiding in her shadow lies ...
![@tropicalnorthqueensland is home to some monumental mountains ⛰ Bartle Frere & Bellenden Ker dominate the podium, but #MountMulligan is just as paparazzi-worthy 🎥 Hiding in her shadow lies the scattered remains of a ghost town of the same name 🏚 But don’t let it’s quietness fool you, there’s loads to explore at the luxurious @mountmulliganlodge - from outback waterfalls to ATV adventures and so much more 🙌
📸 @awolfamily #exploreTNQ #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #explorecairnsGBR
[ID: waterfall at Mount Mulligan, first image features green foliage and rock cliffs surrounding the water hole. Second image shows two children on a rock at the water's edge looking at the waterfall.]](https://tourism.tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
Good morning from #Julatten 😍
The @athertontablelands is full of incredible things to discover, from spectacular waterfalls and wonderful wildlife, to delicious local produce 🦋 Not to ...
![Good morning from #Julatten 😍
The @athertontablelands is full of incredible things to discover, from spectacular waterfalls and wonderful wildlife, to delicious local produce 🦋 Not to mention some epic hiking trails, mountain biking and more! 🚵
Where will the first stop be…?
📸 @tina_wilsonn #exploreTNQ #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #explorecairnsGBR
[ID: cottage style property in Julatten, Atherton Tablelands. There is bright green grass, a clear lake and lots of full trees, with mountain ranges visible in the distance.]](https://tourism.tropicalnorthqueensland.org.au/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
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 ...

Sights & sounds of @visitpalmcove at sunrise 🦜🌅
Even if you're not a morning person, this spot is definitely worth the early wake up ⏰ Just 30 minutes north of #Cairns, ...
