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

On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate #RexSmealPark? Drop your score below. 👇 We would give it a 10… obviously...🌴

📸 IG/kel.and.dyl

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

ID A park with lush green grass stretches toward the waterfront, framed by tall, evenly spaced palm trees. In the background, a calm body of water reflects the sky, with distant mountains and a tree-covered shoreline.
No snorkel? No worries! A glass-bottom boat tour lets you see the #GreatBarrierReef without getting wet. Who’s up for an underwater adventure but above water 😉? 

🎥 @sunloverreefcruises 

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

ID The video opens with on-screen text that reads “Have you ever been on a glass-bottom boat tour?”. The footage then shows a glass-bottom boat floating over the Great Barrier Reef, with coral formations below. The perspective shifts between above-water shots of the boat and views through the glass panels, where tropical fish and marine life can be seen swimming beneath.
Journey through #Mareeba along the historic Wheelbarrow Way to discover #Chillagoe, a hidden outback gem filled with ancient limestone caves, rich mining history and landscapes that take your breath away. Have you heard of it? Time to add this “secret” to your TNQ bucket list.

Planning a trip? @visitmareebashire offers a 2-day
Wheelbarrow Way itinerary and all the tips you need to make the most of your adventure.

🎥 @overlandtravellers 

ID Aerial and ground footage showcasing Chillagoe’s outback landscapes, ancient limestone formations and scenic walking trails. Clips feature a couple exploring caves, hiking throughthe rocky terrain and enjoying sunset views among towering limestone pillars. Text overlays highlight Chillagoe as one of TNQ’s best-kept secrets.

#exploretnq #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #australia @queensland @australia
If paradise had a waterfall, this would be it. #ZoeFalls on #HinchinbrookIsland is the ultimate reward for those who make the trek offering up the ultimate freshwater experience. Who’s taken the plunge here? 👇 #HinchinbrookIsland #zoefalls

📸 IG/markfitz

ID A half-underwater, half-above-water shot of a woman standing in a clear pool at the base of a waterfall. Below the water, small fish swim among smooth rocks. Above the water, a cascade flows down dark, rocky cliffs surrounded by green rainforest.
Monday mood? ➡️ Wishing you were here instead… 🌴 #MissionBeach 

🎥  @_markfitz 

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

ID Aerial drone shot featuring a long stretch of beach with golden sand palm trees.
Ever peered into the depths of Mt Hypipamee Crater on the @athertontablelands? 🤯 This volcanic pipe is just one of many geological marvels of this region. Who’s visited? 

🎥 @jessadventuresaus 

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

ID A deep, cylindrical crater with sheer rock walls drops dramatically into a still, green pool far below. The surrounding landscape is dense with rainforest, with trees lining the rim of the crater.
Two historical landmarks captured in one beautiful image – can you name them? 🤔 (Answer at the end!) 

📸 @amys.camera.lens

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

A small white church sits among tall palm trees near a sandy shoreline. Behind it, the ocean stretches to the horizon with a wooden pier on one side and distant mountains in the background.

⚓ Port Douglas Sugar Wharf 
⛪ St Mary’s by the Sea
Every day is an adventure in @TropicalNorthQueensland. ☀️ And if you need a little inspo, here are 8 experiences that made 🎥 @kellerdiaries' list. 

🚂 Take a scenic ride through the rainforest on the @kurandascenicrailway.
🐎 Gallop along the beach between two World Heritage sites with @capetribhorserides.
🛥️ Cruise to Mackay Coral Cay for pristine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
🍍 Hunt for hidden gems and fresh local produce at the Port Douglas Markets.
🍇 Indulge in a delicious road trip through the @athertontablelands’ foodie trail.
🏝️ Spend a sun-soaked day exploring @fitzroyisland.
🤿 Snorkel the @gbrmarinepark and meet its incredible marine life.
🌴 Chase waterfalls and secret swimming spots in @portdouglasdaintree. 

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

ID Text over video reads “8 must-see places in Tropical North Queensland” followed by a series of videos showing a train travelling through a rainforest, people riding horses along a sandy shoreline, people standing on a white sand cay in the ocean, an outdoor market filled with people and stalls, a person admiring views from a lookout beneath a tree, a white sand beach with bright blue water, colourful coral underwater and a person jumping into a rainforest waterhole.
Heaven IS a place on Earth… and it looks a lot like this 💙. #LizardIsland is serving up some pretty spectacular views so, who’s coming with you? 🏝️

🎥 @lizardisland 

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

ID Aerial and close-up shots of the landscapes of Lizard Island, featuring crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and vibrant marine life.
OMG, Is that a baby dragon? Meet the newest additions to the @WildlifeHabitat - Wilma and Whiplash’s tiny but mighty Boyd’s Forest Dragons. After months of careful incubation, they have finally hatched. Who else thinks they need names? 👇

🎥 @wildlifehabitat 

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

ID A Wildlife Habitat keeper introduces newly hatched Boyd’s Forest Dragons, explaining the incubation process. The video shows gloved hands gently handling tiny eggs and placing baby dragons in an incubation container. The scene shifts to their parents, Wilma and Whiplash, perched in their enclosure. The keeper describes the careful temperature and humidity control needed for hatching.