Expedia Group TNQ Tourism Industry Excellence Awards 2024

The Tropical North Queensland tourism industry recognised its innovative people and products at the 2024 Expedia Group TNQ Tourism Industry Excellence Awards at the Screen Queensland Studio in Cairns on October 25.

Winners of the 2024 Expedia Group TNQ Tourism Industry Excellence Awards:


TTNQ Life Members
Mark and Judy Evans, Paronella Park

Outstanding Commitment to the Industry 
Savannah in the Round

Outstanding Contribution by an Individual in TNQ
John Morris

Chair’s Award for Excellence 
Peter and Angela Freeman, Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures

Young Achiever Excellence Award
Hope Mitchell, Senior Event Planner, Cairns Convention Centre
Finalist: Olivia Stafford, Tully River Rafting Guide, Cairns Adventure Group
Finalist: Sharlee Correa, Wildlife Educator, Cairns Aquarium

Customer Service Excellence Award 
Paul Porteous, Senior Raft Guide, Cairns Adventure Group
Finalist:  Jess Silverwood, Escape Planning Specialist, The Reef House Adults Retreat
Finalist:  Rob Moss, Tour Guide, Tony’s Tropical Tours

Sustainable Tourism Excellence 
Crystalbrook Collection
Finalist:  Mt Mulligan Lodge

Best of Queensland Experience Excellence Award
FNQ Nature Tours

TTNQ thanks our Event Sponsors:

Expedia Group – Naming Rights Sponsor & Outstanding Commitment to the Industry Award Sponsor
As the world’s leading travel platform, Expedia Group Media Solutions is proud to partner with Tourism Tropical North Queensland promoting tourism across the region and connecting their world class destinations, experiences, and properties to millions of travellers in Expedia Group’s worldwide network. Expedia Group are delighted to be a key sponsor of the Tourism Awards and continue supporting Tourism Tropical North Queensland to achieve their objectives and showcase the incredible diversity of the region.

Cairns Regional Council – Chairmans Award of Excellence Sponsor
Cairns Regional Council provides community services and facilities, is responsible for making and enforcing local laws, and is involved in the social, economic, and cultural development of our community, improving local living environments.

Avis Australia – Customer Service Excellence Award Sponsor
Avis Australia has a long history of innovation in the car rental industry and is one of the world’s top brands for customer loyalty. Avis has three car & truck rental locations in our region and continues to provide exceptional service to corporate as well as leisure renters.

Cairns Airport – Sustainable Tourism Excellence Award Sponsor
Cairns Airport is one of Australia’s leading regional airports, providing air links to a variety of regional, domestic, and international destinations. Described as ‘descending into paradise’, Cairns Airport is the gateway to the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef and Tropical Rainforests of North Queensland.

Ports North – Young Achiever Excellence Award Sponsor
Ports North plays a crucial role in fostering economic development within the region, significantly contributing to the state’s tourism and export capabilities. Cairns Seaport serves as a multi-purpose facility accommodating a variety of operations and offers extensive marina and tourism facilities. The Port is one of Australia’s busiest cruising destinations with both major international cruise ships and a number of domestic cruise vessels operating out of Cairns.

Screen Queensland, Cairns Event Sponsor
Australia’s newest state-of-the-art film and television studio complex housing a sound stage, editing studio, production offices, recording studio, large construction space, wardrobe, parking and event spaces.

Tẅo Tribes – Event Sponsor
Tẅo Tribe Events is a boutique ‘Style & Hire’ company specialising in bespoke events and weddings with a ‘Wow’ factor. The largest boutique furniture and hiring company in Tropical North Queensland, they offer on-trend styling in stunning off-site locations that sets each event apart.

Pro GigEvent Sponsor
Providing professional audio, lighting, vision, conferencing equipment and high quality technical services to the event industry with over 35 years experience; servicing all of Northern Queensland and will travel to where an event may lead. Progig is your go-to AV partner for your next event, concert, festival or conference.

#ExploreTNQ

A day in the life of a Master Reef Guide 🐢🌊 on the #GreatBarrierReef. Not your average 9 to 5… career change, anyone? 

📸 @tahn_miller and @masterreefguides 

#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland  @australia 

ID A Master Reef Guide swims through jellyfish blooms and coral gardens on the Great Barrier Reef. Wearing a yellow shirt and snorkel gear, they glide past marine life and reef restoration projects in crystal-clear water under the tropical sun.
Came for the scenery, stayed for the party. In #TropicalNorthQueensland, the backdrop might be world heritage-worthy but the real show? That’s on the streets, the stages and even the sand 🏝️. 

#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia @portdouglasdaintree  #cairnsfestival #portdouglascarnivale @savannahintheround #tasteportdouglas #shineongimuy @cairnsfashionweek @pdcarnivale @cairnsfests 

ID This video opens with a woman standing on a hotel balcony with the title ‘Stay’, before transitioning to festival scenes with ‘Play’ flashing on screen. It cuts to a street parade with dancers, food shots from Taste Port Douglas, and crowds dancing at Savannah in the Round. The video ends with traditional Indigenous dancing at Shine on Gimuy.
Not all treasures come with signposts. Hidden deep in Wooroonooran National Park, #WankarooFalls is the kind of place you may only visit once but will never forget.

It’s a 14km rugged rainforest trail with creek crossings and a final steep descent - but the payoff? A dramatic dual-stream waterfall and a deep pool that’s made for a dip. To discover more about the region's many waterfalls, head to https://bit.ly/3Yu3wqp

📸 @evjocks 

#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland  @australia @athertontablelands @cassowarycoastaustralia 

ID A misty rainforest scene at Wankaroo Falls in Tropical North Queensland. The waterfall cascades into a calm pool surrounded by thick, green foliage and towering trees, with soft light filtering through the canopy.
ASMR? More like ATSR (Aquatic Turtle Stress Relief)...You’re welcome 😌.

🎥 @puresnorkelling 

#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia 

ID An underwater close-up of a sea turtle gently blowing bubbles in clear blue water. The scene is calm and quiet, with soft bubbling sounds creating a soothing, ASMR-style moment.
Hello #MissionBeach 👋 Where rainforest meets the #greatbarrierreef… and the beaches stretch on forever. 🌴☀️

#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland  @australia @cassowarycoastaustralia 

ID A tropical beach scene that shifts from daylight to sunrise. Palm trees line the shore, with soft waves and golden sand. The final images show the sky glowing pink and orange as the sun rises.
Thinking this beats your usual commute? Time to plan your paddle with @babindakayaking. 

#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland  @australia @cassowarycoastaustralia 

ID An aerial view of a calm, clear creek. Five colourful kayaks are pulled up on a white sandy bank, with people lying back and relaxing nearby. The creek is shallow with a visible sandy bottom, and surrounded by thick green vegetation.

📸 @babindakayaking
Just two locals cruising the coastline… 🐢🦈 These coastal shallows along the #DaintreeRainforest are vital feeding grounds, nurseries and rest stops for countless marine species. Incredible don't you think? 

🎥 @josephine.wrt 

#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
@queensland @australia @portdouglasdaintree 

ID An aerial view of a calm, clear stretch of ocean along the Daintree Rainforest coastline. A green sea turtle and reef shark glide peacefully in shallow turquoise waters near the shore, surrounded by fringing reef and sea grass beds.
When was the last time you truly paused to take it all in? Sunrise at #FourMileBeach. One of those quiet #PortDouglas moments worth slowing down for. 

📸 @amys.camera.lens 

#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
@queensland @australia @portdouglasdaintree 

ID Tall palm trees line the sandy edge of Four Mile Beach, silhouetted against a sunrise sky filled with pink, purple and orange hues.
“I distinctly remember telling you to stay out of the bird feeder…” 😆
This cheeky possum clearly didn’t get the memo. Just one of the many curious visitors you might spot at @canopytreehouses – though not all of them are this bold.

🎥 @wanderlustmike 

#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia 
@queensland @australia @athertontablelands 

ID A possum is perched on a hanging bird feeder, using its front paws to grip the edge as it leans forward to eat. The scene captures the possum mid-mischief, appearing curious and unbothered.