The North Queensland Tourism and Events Awards recognise and foster excellence in our region’s tourism industry. This event provides the industry with a platform to acknowledge the people, places, organisations and events that have gone above and beyond to offer superior tourism experiences to visitors in the Townsville North Queensland region.
Following the successful launch of the region’s new destination brand, Up for Unexpected, the 2023 North Queensland Tourism and Events Awards provide an opportunity to recognise industry and the individuals who deliver on our brand promise to surprise and delight curious explorers, and to celebrate a year that has seen strong destination growth – both in terms of marketing awareness, but also reaching a historic $1B in visitor spend.
The Townsville North Queensland tourism industry is as diverse as the region it represents, and as an emerging destination, the Award category list continues to evolve and grow to aptly reflect those offering unique and memorable experiences to curious explorers from across Australia and the world.
This category of awards aims to recognise excellence across a range of business sectors within the Townsville North Queensland tourism industry. This category will be judged by a select criteria, but also be taken to a public vote.
This award will be presented to an Accommodation (Hotel) business that delivers the most exceptional visitor experience.
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This award will be presented to an Accommodation (Motel) business that delivers the most exceptional visitor experience.
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This award will be presented to an Accommodation (Caravan and Holiday Parks) business that delivers the most exceptional visitor experience.
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This award will be presented to a Restaurant business that delivers the most exceptional visitor experience.
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This award will be presented to a Cafe or Casual Dining business that delivers the most exceptional visitor experience.
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This award will be presented to a Bar, Brewery or Distillery business that delivers the most exceptional visitor experience.
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This award will be presented to a Tour, Attraction or Experience that delivers the most exceptional visitor experience.
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This award will be presented to a New Tourism Business or Experience that delivers the most exceptional visitor experience.
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NB. To qualify as a New Tourism Business or Experience, the entity needs to have commenced operation between 1 July 2022 - 30 June 2023.
This category recognises Major Festivals, Events and Exhibitions that enhance the profile and appeal of Townsville North Queensland, attract over 5,000 visitors and create a significant economic impact for the destination.
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*Events outside of financial year period, need to be approved by Townsville Enterprise for special consideration.
This category recognises Destination Festivals, Events and Exhibitions that enhance the profile and appeal of Townsville North Queensland, attract under 5,000 visitors and create economic impact for the destination.
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*Events outside of financial year period, need to be approved by Townsville Enterprise for special consideration.
This award will be presented to a Business and Conferencing Venue that delivers the most exceptional visitor experience.
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This award will be presented to the Townsville North Queensland Transport or Hire Services that delivers the most exceptional visitor experience.
Defined as a service provider designed to assist a person to travel from one place to another; to provide logistical access to Townsville North Queensland.
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This award category aims to recognise exceptional contributions to the Townsville North Queensland tourism industry by an individual. Nominations in this category will be reviewed by a select industry panel, and judged according to the information and evidence provided at the time of nomination.
The Richard Power Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual award recognises extraordinary personal and professional achievement and contribution to the local tourism and events industry.
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The Young Achiever Award recognises the exceptional contribution by an individual (under the age of 35 years) including their personal and professional/academic achievement and contribution to the local tourism and events industry.
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The Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer award aims to recognise an individual contribution who has shown exemplary voluntary contribution and who through their volunteering has supported the advancement of the Townsville North Queensland tourism industry.
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New in 2023, these award categories aim to recognise excellence across key societal enablers which contribute to the Townsville North Queensland tourism industry. Nominations in this category will be reviewed by a select industry panel, and judged according to the information and evidence provided at the time of nomination.
The Excellence in Sustainability award aims to recognise an individual or business who has shown continued steps toward delivering a sustainable visitor experience. Sustainability is an evolution of continued growth in tourism, so this category is looking to celebrate innovation and commitment toward a sustainable future for Townsville North Queensland's tourism industry and broader society.
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The Excellence in Accessible Tourism award aims to recognise an individual or business who has shown continued steps toward delivering an inclusive, all-abilities visitor experience. The Year of Accessible Tourism in Queensland is an opportunity to recognise the importance of accessible tourism experiences for all, and to ignite change and create opportunities for tourism businesses. This category is looking to celebrate innovation and commitment toward an inclusive future for Townsville North Queensland's tourism industry and broader society.
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The North Queensland Tourism and Events Awards recognises the outstanding achievements of the region's tourism industry, including individuals, businesses (industry operators) and events.
The Awards are a nomination and public vote program and provide the opportunity to publicly acknowledge and showcase North Queensland's finest tourism operators. The Awards cover 14 categories ranging from attractions, events, tours, accommodation, restaurants and more. Nominations incur a cost which includes a ticket to the Awards Gala Event later this year.
NOMINATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.
Members = $205pp (includes one ticket to the Awards Gala Event)
Non-members = $255pp (includes one ticket to the Awards Gala Event)
*To purchase additional event tickets, click HERE.
The objective of the North Queensland Tourism and Events Awards is to fairly and independently evaluate each entry through a formalised assessment process. Nominations in the People's Choice Award categories will be assessed according the nominee's Best of Queensland Experiences score, but will also be taken to a public vote as a way to validate and offer community and visitor recommendation from personal experience.
Public voting opens on 5 September 2023, and will be promoted through digital, print, radio and social channels to capture engaged audiences from Townsville North Queensland, and those who have also recently visited the region.
Individual Award and Excellence Award categories will be assessed according to a select criteria, but will also be judged by a panel of industry leaders from across North Queensland.
A partnership with Townsville Enterprise for the 2023 North Queensland Tourism & Events Awards provides your organisation with an opportunity to support one of Townsville North Queensland's major industries and economic drivers. The North Queensland Tourism and Events Awards offers businesses the opportunity to leverage the awards' reputation and receive significant brand exposure. Last year more than 17,000 votes were received demonstrating a significant reach into the local community and broader visitor economy.
In 2022:
DOWNLOAD SPONSORSHIP PROSPECTUS
Interested in sponsoring this year's North Queensland Tourism and Events Awards?
Contact Alysse Steele - (07) 4726 2757 | alysse.steele@tel.com.au
