Full list: Finalists and winners at the 2022 Mackay Isaac Tourism Awards

One Blacks Beach property has taken out a gong two years in a row in the region’s tourism awards.

The 2022 Mackay Isaac Tourism Awards at the MECC on October 14. Picture: Contributed

For Comfort Resort Blue Pacific owner Cath Uit Den Bogaard, getting all “the little things” right is the key to a great customer experience.

“You have got to have everything in place so on the day, people just drive through and breathe and go, ‘I instantly feel relaxed’,” she said.

Blue Pacific has just won an award for best 3-3.5 star accommodation at the 2022 Mackay Isaac Region Tourism Awards, the second year in a row the Blacks Beach business has taken home a gong.

“It is reassuring, to know that the public appreciate, and our guests appreciate us, because it’s all based on the Best of Queensland program, where the guests write a review and give us a score,” Mrs Uit Den Bogaard said.

Comfort Resort Blue Pacific co-owner Nick Uit den Bogaard. Photo: Lee Constable

Allison Day visited the property with her family and her review offers some indication why Pacific Blue nabbed the award.

“Our family had a beautiful week at this resort and the staff were incredibly accommodating and helpful,” she writes.

“We cannot thank them enough, the units contain everything you might need on holiday with a young family.

“The pools are awesome and the beach is beautiful.”

Mrs Uit Den Bogaard has been in tourism for 23 years but said she and her husband Nick were not at the retirement stage and were looking for “unique accommodation” opportunities to pursue.

Along with Pacific Blue, 186 people celebrated all-things tourism in the Mackay Isaac region at the MECC, with 53 awards finalists and 27 winners.

Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson, Isaac Mayor Anne Baker and Dawson MP Andrew Willcox attended the event.

The 2022 Mackay Isaac Tourism Awards at the MECC on October 14. Picture: Contributed

“Each of the businesses nominated are a shining example of the exceptional tourism experiences offered in our region,” Mr Williamson said.

“It is these businesses that drive investment into our communities, supporting sustainability and job creation and building upon the liveability of the region.”

Mackay Isaac Tourism Interim CEO Tash Wheeler also congratulated the finalists and winners.

“The Mackay Region Tourism Awards exist to recognise the commitment to tourism excellence and celebrate the exceptional achievements of tourism businesses and individuals throughout the region,” she said.

“It is the dedication of businesses and individuals like those we have recognised tonight, that has enabled tourism to firmly establish itself as a key economic pillar to the Mackay Isaac region’s economy, contributing millions of dollars in investment and creating thousands of jobs.”

Finalists and Winners – Best of Queensland Categories

Award For Best Tourist Attraction

Recognises the region’s best tourist attractions

• WINNER: Clermont Historical Centre

• RUNNER UP: Wake House Australia

Award For Best Business and Event Venue

Recognises the region’s best business and event venues

• WINNER: Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre

• RUNNER UP: Harrup Park Country Club

Award For Best Retail and Hire Service

Recognises the region’s best retail & hire services

• WINNER: Caneland Central Shopping Centre

• RUNNER UP: Mount Pleasant Shopping Centre

Award For Best Restaurant or Catering Service

Recognises the region’s best restaurant or catering service

• WINNER: The Seabreeze Hotel

• RUNNER UP: Shamrock Hotel Mackay

Award For Excellence in Food Tourism

Recognises the region’s best food tourism venue

• WINNER: Sarina Sugar Shed

• RUNNER UP: The Flackyard

Award For Best Caravan, Holiday Park or Hosted Accommodation

Recognises the region’s best caravan, holiday park or hosted accommodation

• WINNER: Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park

• RUNNER UP: BIG4 Mackay Blacks Beach Holiday Park

Award For Best 3-3.5 Star Accommodation

Recognises the region’s best 3-3.5 Star accommodation

• WINNER: Comfort Resort Blue Pacific

• RUNNER UP: Casa Nostra Motel Mackay

Award For Best 4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation

Recognises the region’s 4-4.5 Star accommodation

• WINNER: Alara Motor Inn

• RUNNER UP: Quest Mackay on Gordon

Finalists and Winners – Excellence Categories

Award For Excellence in Customer Service

This category recognises outstanding customer service in the Mackay Isaac region

• WINNER: Flackyard

• RUNNER UP: Moss on Wood

Award For Most Outstanding New Business

New business that began operating within the last 18 months can be nominated in this category

• WINNER: Wildcat Mackay

• RUNNER UP: Red Dog Brewery

Award For Most Outstanding Regional Event

Events held in the Mackay Isaac region can be nominated in this category

• WINNER: St Lawrence Wetlands Weekend

• RUNNER UP: QCCS NQ‘s Rock’n Country

Award For Most Outstanding Volunteer Individual

This category recognises outstanding contribution by an individual volunteer to the tourism industry in the Mackay Isaac region

• WINNER: Michael Pugh

• RUNNER UP: Barbara Cronin

Award For Most Outstanding Volunteer Group

This category recognises outstanding contribution by a volunteer group to the tourism industry in the Mackay Isaac region

• WINNER: Sarina Sugar Shed

• RUNNER UP: Central Queensland Hike and Explore Group

Award For Most Outstanding Contribution by an Individual

• Ben and Renae Atherton