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

This reef local has nailed the art of midweek energy conservation. Zero meetings. Maximum chill.

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

🎥  @downundercruiseanddive 

ID A green sea turtle resting on the coral floor of the Great Barrier Reef with its eyes partially closed.
Proof that Tropical North Queensland doesn’t do “ordinary”. 💧 This electric blue beauty is the #CardwellSpaPool, nature’s answer to a plunge pool, and yes, the colour really is that good.

But heads-up… this brilliant hue is seasonal. Your best bet? Visit just after the summer rains. That is when there is still enough flow to keep things fresh, but the water level starts to drop concentrating the minerals that give it that unreal blue.

📸 @runamuc_adventures 

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

ID A woman relaxes in a natural rock spa at the edge of the vivid blue Cardwell Spa Pools in North Queensland. Surrounded by lush rainforest, the mineral-rich water contrasts strikingly against the earthy rocks and green foliage.
Golden hour hits different when you are perched on the edge of paradise 🌴 in #portdouglasdaintree. Tag 👇 the friend who would be first to bring the cheese platter.

📸 @amys.camera.lens 

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

ID Aerial view of a grassy headland lined with palm trees at sunset, with people relaxing on the lawn. A red-sailed boat floats on the ocean in the background under a pink and orange sky.
Weekend forecast says 100% chance of stars and this sky? Brought to you by zero light pollution and one epic outback escape. Who’s packing the telescope?

📸📍@mountmulliganlodge 

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

ID A person stands under a dazzling night sky illuminated by the Milky Way, holding a light that beams upward. Silhouettes of trees and distant hills frame the horizon, captured at Mount Mulligan Lodge.
Warning: staring directly at this waterfall may cause spontaneous road trips. Millaa Millaa Falls is one of the most photographed waterfalls in Australia, and when you get a view like this, it’s easy to see why.
Add it to your @athertontablelands trail and pack your swimmers (you’ll thank us later). @queensland  @australia #cairnsgbr #exploretnq #athertontablelands  ID Frontal view of Millaa Millaa Falls cascading into dense tropical greenery, framed by rainforest foliage.
Dress code…barefoot? Say no more. 😉 This isn’t just lunch with a view,  @lizardisland is a private island escape where the only way in is by plane, yacht or chopper. Who's adding this to their wish list? 

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

ID: The image shows a white sand beach edged by turquoise waters, where a woman enjoys a picnic. A boat floats in the bay nearby, hinting at the island’s remote and exclusive appeal.
Silent, ancient and absolutely in charge. As ancient as the rainforest it inhabits, the estuarine crocodile is a living relic and a powerful reminder that in Tropical North Queensland, the wild still rules 👑🐊.

🎥 @josephine.wrt 

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

ID Aerial view of a crocodile swimming near the riverbank beside dense green mangroves in Tropical North Queensland.
Welcome to Cairns, the real #urbanjungle - where else can you go from rooftop bars to rainforest treks, laneway cocktails to coral reefs, all in one day?
 
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland  @australia @wolf_lane_distillery @mexicairns @crystalbrookriley @oaks_hotels @hemingwaysfnq
 
ID This video highlights Cairns’ food and drink scene, showcasing a variety of dishes and drinks at different venues. It features close-up shots of fresh seafood, cocktails and gourmet meals, with people enjoying their food in outdoor settings.
Need a holiday? ☀️ From reef dives to rainforest ziplines, sand cay strolls to river drifts, that holiday feeling hits different in Tropical North Queensland. So go on, consider this your official permission to ‘celebrate’ tropical paradise.

#QueenslandHolidayFeeling #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland  @australia  @portdouglasdaintree  @athertontablelands @cassowarycoastaustralia @visitmareebashire 

ID A series of travel clips through Tropical North Queensland including a person bungy jumping, a group drifting down a river on red rafts, couples laughing under palm trees, snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, dolphins leaping from the water, a remote sandy cay, and scenic views of coastal islands, the Daintree Rainforest and Kuranda Scenic Railway.
Five must-see stops. One epic road trip. From rainforest waterfalls to cave adventures and heritage charm, the #AthertonTablelands packs a punch. Who’s ready to explore?

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

ID A fast-paced video montage showcasing five destinations on the Atherton Tablelands. It features a waterfall, pioneer museum, Chillagoe Caves, Lake Eacham and the town of Yungaburra.
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