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Queensland tourism operators win big at Australian Tourism Awards

Queensland tourism operators dominate the 2023 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards with five Gold winners and numerous Silver and Bronze awardees across various categories.

Five Queensland tourism operators have claimed Gold awards, while nine have received Silver or Bronze awards at the 2023 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards held at the Darwin Convention Centre on Friday 15 March.

A total of 21 Queensland tourism operators were nominated in 26 categories as they competed for the nation’s highest industry accolades, after they all took home Gold at the Queensland Tourism Awards in Cairns last November.

A new Accessible Tourism category made its debut at the Australian Awards, after being introduced to the Queensland Tourism Awards in November.

The Queensland Gold winners at the 2023 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards were:

• Fun Over 50 Holidays – Ecotourism
• BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort – Caravan & Holiday Parks
• Ocean Rafting – Adventure Tourism
• Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers – Major Festivals and Events
• The Reef House Boutique Hotel and Spa | Adults Tropical Escape – 5 Star Luxury Accommodation

Other Queensland winners at the 2023 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards include:

• Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat - Hosted Accommodation
• Rockhampton Regional Council - Tourism Marketing & Campaigns
• Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary - Major Tourist Attractions
• Bundaberg Rum Distillery Visitor Experience - Tourist Attractions
• Fun Over 50 Holidays - Cultural Tourism
• Ocean Rafting - Major Tour & Transport Operators
• Cape York Peninsula Lodge - Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tourism
• Cape York Peninsula Lodge - 4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation
• Magnums Accommodation Airlie Beach - 3-3.5 Star Accommodation

The full list of Queensland nominees was:

• Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary – (Major Tourist Attractions)
• Bundaberg Rum Distillery Visitor Experience – (Tourist Attractions)
• Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers – (Major Festivals and Events)
• Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships – (Festivals and Events)
• Fun Over 50 Holidays: Immersive Tours and Adventures – (The Steve Irwin Award for Ecotourism. And The Cultural Tourism award)
• Cape York Peninsula Lodge – (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism. And 4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation)
• Whitsunday Coast Airport – (Tourism Retail and Hire Services)
• Ipswich Visitor Information Centre – (Visitor Information Services)
• Sofitel Brisbane Central – (Business Event Venues)
• Ocean Rafting – (Major Tour and Transport Operators. And Adventure Tourism)
• Creative Tours – (Tour and Transport Operators. And Excellence in Food Tourism)
• Rockhampton Regional Council: Explore Rockhampton campaign – (Destination Marketing)
• Sea World Cruises – (Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services)
• Tamborine Mountain Distillery – (Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries)
• BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort – (Caravan and Holiday Parks And Excellence in Accessible Tourism)
• Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat – (Hosted Accommodation)
• Mitchell Grass Retreat – (Unique Accommodation)
• Pinnacles Resort Airlie Beach – (Self Contained Accommodation)
• Magnums Accommodation Airlie Beach – (3-3.5 Star Standard Accommodation)
• The Reef House Boutique Hotel and Spa – (5 Star Luxury Accommodation)
• Kokomo Cruises – (New Tourism Business)

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• Outdoors Queensland

Queensland Tourism Awards 2023

Tickets on sale now!

You’re invited to delight in the thrills and experience tourism’s night of nights at the 38th Queensland Tourism Awards Gala Ceremony!

The annual Queensland Tourism Awards are the pinnacle of Queensland tourism achievement, uniting our industry in celebrating the outstanding strength of the state’s tourism, hospitality, and events sectors.

Be in the room as the finest experiences, events, individuals, and venues are recognised across 31 award categories on 24 November at the Cairns Convention Centre . Avoid disappointment by securing your tickets today as seats will sell quickly.

Venue Cairns Convention Centre Find on Google Maps

6:00pm – 10:00pm, followed by the  Awards After Party  until midnight .

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Queensland Tourism Industry Council

Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) is the peak industry body for tourism in Queensland, acting as “The Voice of Tourism”. We’re a not-for-profit, private sector, membership-based organisation representing the interests of Queensland’s tourism and hospitality industry.

We work in partnership with government agencies and industry bodies at a local, state and national level, to strengthen the  voice of tourism  in all relevant policy forums. Our  membership  comprises more than 3,000 regional members (individual and corporate) alongside 13 Regional Tourism Organisation (RTOs) and 18 industry sector associations. Our efforts are aimed squarely at helping this strong tourism industry drive sustainable business and product development, stimulate business attraction and investment, develop workforce skills and support tourism jobs and business.

QTIC operates and hosts the annual  Queensland Tourism Awards , the state’s premier industry recognition program for outstanding contribution by organisations and individuals within our tourism sector.

https://www.qtic.com.au [email protected] (07) 3236 1445

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Queensland Tourism Awards 2023

It was the tourist industry’s annual night of nights – as Cairns hosted the 2023 Queensland Tourism Awards.

Congratulations to all the top winners across the categories.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary      

Major Tourist Attractions

Gold Coast (Destination Gold Coast)

Bundaberg Rum Visitor Experience       

Tourist Attractions

Bundaberg Tourism

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers 

Major Festivals and Events

Southern Queensland Country (Southern Queensland Country Tourism)

Isa Rodeo Limited – 2022 Mount Isa Mines Indigenous Rodeo Championships  

Festivals and Events

Outback (Outback Queensland Tourism Association Inc.)

Fun Over 50 Holidays – Immersive Tours and Adventures         

Fun Over 50 Holidays – Immersive Tours and Adventures

Cultural Tourism

Cape York Peninsula Lodge

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experiences

Tropical North Queensalnd (Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

Whitsunday Coast Airport   

Tourism Retail, Hire and Services

Whitsundays (Tourism Whitsundays)

Ipswich Visitor Information Centre        

Visitor Information Services

Sofitel Brisbane Central

Business Event Venues

Ocean Rafting     

Major Tour & Transport Operators

Creative Tours   

Tour & Transport Operators

Sunshine Coast (Visit Sunshine Coast)

Adventure Tourism

Rockhampton Regional Council – Explore Rockhampton

Tourism Marketing & Campaigns

Capricorn Enterprise

Sea World Cruises – Sightseeing and Dining   

Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services

Tamborine Mountain Distillery    

Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries

BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort      

Caravan & Holiday Parks

Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat       

Hosted Accommodation

Mitchell Grass Retreat

Unique Accommodation

Pinnacles, Airlie Beach

Self-Contained Accommodation

Magnums Unique Accommodation Airlie Beach      

3-3.5 Star Accommodation

4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation

Tropical North Queensland (Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

The Reef House Boutique Hotel and Spa – Adults Tropical Escapes    

5 Star Luxury Accommodation

Kokomo Cruises

New Tourism Business

Excellence in Food Tourism

Excellence in Accessible Tourism

Moreton Bay Region Volunteer Program         

Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer or Volunteer Group

Hailey Brown      

The Stephen Gregg Award for Young Achiever of the Year

Michael L. Hackett

The Marie Watson-Blake Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual

Paronella Park  

RACQ People’s Choice – Experiences and Services

Esk Caravan Park & Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Motel

RACQ People’s Choice – Accommodation

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Australia , Company News

Tropic wings wins silver at queensland tourism awards.

Tropic Wings Cairns Tours and Charters is the recipient of the Silver accolade in the major tour and transport operator category at the 2023 Queensland Tourism Awards.

Tropic Wings says that the recognition underscores its commitment to great customer service, sustainability and showcasing the best of Tropical North Queensland.

At the heart of Tropic Wings’ success is its unwavering dedication to providing unparalleled customer service.

It takes pride in ensuring that every visitor’s journey to some of the region’s most breathtaking locations such as Kuranda, Port Douglas, Daintree and Cape Tribulation is filled with joy and memorable moments.

Tropic Wings general manager Colin Anderson says that its success is built on the happiness of the customers.

“We strive to create not just tours, but experiences that leave a lasting impression,” Anderson says.

“It’s an honour to be recognised for our commitment to exceptional customer service.”

Tropic Wings says that it’s the first day tour operator to introduce a 100 per cent electric bus in the Australian tourism industry.

It says the move aligns with the company’s dedication to preserving the natural beauty of Tropical North Queensland for future generations.

Tropic Wings says the silver win at the Queensland Tourism Awards reflects its ongoing efforts to set industry standards and create positive impacts on both the tourism sector and the environment.

Tropic Wings celebrated 40 years of operation in March 2023 and says it’s looking forward to continuing its mission of providing exceptional customer experiences while leading the way in sustainable tourism practices.

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2. Tourist Attractions

3. Major Festivals and Events

4. Festivals and Events

5. The Steve Irwin Award for Ecotourism

6. Cultural Tourism

7. Award for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism  Experiences

8. Tourism Retail, Hire and Services

9. Visitor Information Services

10. Business Event Venues

11. Major Tour and Transport Operators

12. Tour and Transport Operators

13. Adventure Tourism

14. The Richard Power Award for Tourism Marketing & Campaigns 

15. Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services

16. Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries

17. Caravan and Holiday Parks

18. Hosted Accommodation

19. Unique Accommodation

20. Self Contained Accommodation

21. 3-3.5 Star Accommodation

22. 4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation

23. 5 Star Luxury Accommodation

24. New Tourism Business

25. Excellence in Food Tourism

26. Excellence in Accessible Tourism

27. Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer or Volunteer Group

28. The Stephen Gregg Award for Young Achiever of the Year 

29. The Marie Watson-Blake Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual

30 & 31. RACQ People's Choice Awards  

The Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory

Queensland’s top tourism operators celebrated.

Published Friday, 24 November, 2023 at 10:00 PM

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Minister for Tourism, Innovation and Sport and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics and Paralympics Sport and Engagement The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe

• Queensland Tourism Awards recognise outstanding operators from across the state.
• 2023 categories included inaugural Excellence in Accessible Tourism Award won by BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort
• Four new businesses enter Hall of Fame: Fun Over 50 Holidays, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Paronella Park and Bundaberg Rum Visitor Experience

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has joined industry leaders to celebrate outstanding tourism operators from around the state, as part of the 38th Queensland Tourism Awards.

A record number of entries vied for the state’s top tourism awards this year with 184 final submissions – an increase of 25 percent on last year.

The Queensland Tourism Awards have been operating for 38 years with 31 categories ranging from attractions, events, tour and transport, accommodation, restaurants to culture and marketing.

In recognition of 2023 as the Year of Accessible Tourism, the Palaszczuk Government supported a new category, Excellence in Accessible Tourism.

The inaugural award was taken home by BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort , one of Queensland’s leading accessible resorts and a winner with visitors of all abilities.

Four new businesses entered into the Queensland Tourism Industry Council’s Hall of Fame – Fun Over 50 Holidays - Immersive Tours and Adventures, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Paronella Park and Bundaberg Rum Visitor Experience.

The ceremony was held at the Cairns Convention Centre as part of Tourism Week celebrations, which included the industry conferences Destination IQ and DestinationQ.

All gold winners, except for the Queensland only based awards, are automatically entered in the Australian Tourism Awards to be held in Darwin in March 2024.

Quotes attributable to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk:

“Queensland has some of the worlds greatest and most recognisable tourist attractions.

“This week is about celebrating the sector and recognising top operators across the board.

“Our government will always back jobs with the tourism industry supporting thousands of jobs from the Cape to Coolangatta each year.

“A big congratulations to all 184 entrants, finalists, winners and Hall of Famers – you all make Queensland the best place to holiday.”  

Quotes attributable to Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe:

“Congratulations to award winners and finalists for creating world-class visitor experiences and helping to make 2023 an extraordinary year for Queensland’s tourism industry,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“Queensland’s place as the nation’s favourite holiday destination and a record $33.2 billion visitor economy is a credit to the ingenuity and commitment of the State’s tourism operators.

“Thank you to BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort for leadership in all-abilities visitor experiences and as winner of the Palaszczuk Government’s inaugural Excellence in Accessible Tourism Award.     

“Our gold award winners are on track to put Queensland in an unbeatable position for more national recognition at the Australian Tourism Awards in March.” 

Queensland Tourism Award Winners include:

The Marie Watson-Blake Award for OCBI awarded posthumously to Michael Hackett.

Excellence in Accessible Tourism awarded to Big 4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort

People’s Choice Award Accommodation awarded to Esk Caravan Park and Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Motel.

People’s Choice Award Experiences and Services awarded for the third time in a row Paronella Park.

Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer or Volunteer Group awarded to Visit Moreton Bay Volunteer Program

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Screen Queensland Studios, Cairns opens its doors, announces first tenants

Production company Lone Star Productions, casting agency Platinum Talent Management, AV specialists Wallfly, and business, camera and equipment providers Lemac Film & Digital have secured creative tenancies at Screen Queensland’s new Cairns studio, with the $12.6 million facility now officially open for business.

Lone Star managing director Aaron Fa’Aoso was joined by Screen Queensland CEO Jacqui Feeney, Queensland Arts Minister Leeanne Enoch, and FNQ Screen Champion and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt in cutting the ribbon for the studio on Wednesday, following a year-long construction.

Located on a 6,500 square metre site at the corner of Spence and Fearnley Streets, the complex includes a 1,070 square metre sound stage, production offices, editing suites, a sound recording studio, construction, wardrobe facilities, and an events space.

The Queensland Government has allocated an additional $7.95 million over six years for operational costs related to the studio, which can house up to four productions at once. Earlier this week, it was announced that Paramount+’s Australian adaptation of Jersey Shore , titled Aussie Shore , would be the first production to utilise the space , with Geordie Shore star Charlotte Crosby among those to attend Wednesday’s event.

The opening was the culmination of a more than six-year journey for Fa’Aoso, a Screen Queensland board member who also served on the Studio Implementation Committee.

He said the “exceptional” studio marked the dawn of a new era for the Far North Queensland screen sector.

“Today, as we celebrate this significant milestone, we lay a solid foundation upon which to build a vibrant future for our industry,” he said.

“Let this be a reminder of the boundless possibilities that lie ahead, and let our shared vision inspire generations to come. Together, we shall continue this incredible journey, fuelled by our unwavering dedication and the promise of a thriving future for the screen industry in Far North Queensland.”

Enoch said there was now “enormous” potential to supercharge Far North Queensland’s reputation as an emerging screen industry powerhouse.

“Not only is the new state-of-the-art Cairns studio primed to generate new jobs and cultural tourism, it’s also an opportunity to elevate unique Far North Queensland stories whilst attracting national and international screen projects,” she said.

Feeney paid tribute to the government for its multi-year commitment to bolstering North Queensland’s vibrant screen industry.

“These studios aren’t just soundstages, they are incubators of creativity, empowerment, and economic growth, poised to propel Queensland’s screen sector to new heights,” she said.