Three NQ businesses recognised at the 2024 Queensland Tourism Awards

Capping off outstanding year of record-breaking tourism numbers in the Townsville region, three businesses have received Queensland Tourism Awards. Find out who.

Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Aquascene Magnetic Island, and Mungalla Aboriginal Tours have received recognition at the Queensland Tourism Awards. Pictures: Supplied.

Townsville has cemented its reputation as a top tier tourism destination, after taking home three gongs at the 2024 Queensland Tourism Industry Council’s Queensland Tourism Awards on Friday.

The nominees gathered at Brisbane’s The Star, Queen’s Wharf for a night of glamour and recognition for their hard work supporting the tourism industry over the past year, contesting 31 award categories ranging from attractions, events, tour and transport operators, accommodation, restaurants, accessible tourism, culture and marketing.

Offering tourists the opportunity to snorkel and explore Magnetic Islands 23 bays and beaches, Aquascene Magnetic Island’s owners Adam and Steph Hinks took home gold in the Adventure Tourism category for their immersive and educational reef tours and experiences.

Adam and Steph Hinks from Aquascene Charters and their children on Magnetic Island

First time entrant Queensland Country Bank Stadium claimed silver in the Major Festivals and Events category after playing host to massively popular music artists like P!nk and sporting events like the NRL’s blockbuster Cowboys v Knights elimination final over the past year.

Mungalla Aboriginal Tours was acknowledged for their commitment to First Nations empowerment and dedication to sharing 60,000 years of Nywagi heritage with visitors to the lands around Ingham, by being awarded bronze in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Tourism Experience category.

P!NK performs at Townsville's Queensland Country Bank Stadium. Picture: Evan Morgan

The North Queensland Cowboys run onto the field during the NRL Qualifying Final match against the Newcastle Knights at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on September 14, 2024. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

The awards were the icing on top of an outstanding year for tourism and travel in Townsville, where record-breaking tourism numbers were recorded.

Domestic tourism into Townsville increased by 22.7 per cent, with 1.3 million visitors injecting $1.2 billion into the local economy in the year to June 2024 – up 10.3 per cent on the year prior.

Mungalla Aboriginal Tours has been a magnet for tourists in NQ.

Queensland Tourism Industry Council Chair Elsa D’Alessio said the three winners showcased some of the best that Townsville and North Queensland has to offer.

“It’s brilliant to see Australia’s love for North Queensland’s abundant natural landscape and rich diversity reflected in not only this year’s Queensland Tourism Awards, but in the holiday decisions of everyday Australians who continue to choose Townsville as a premier destination year after year,” Ms D’Alessio said.

Aquascene’s tours of Magnetic Island have seen them win multiple awards over the years. Picture: Supplied

Aquascene's vessel is manual wheelchair accessible for travellers with mobility needs who want to explore Magnetic Island’s reefs.

“Whether it’s out exploring the vibrant tropical reef off the shores of Magnetic Island, cheering on the Maroons at one of Queensland’s newest stadiums, or immersing yourself in 60,000 years of Nywaigi heritage and culture, Townsville and greater North Queensland has so much to offer.

“We’re delighted to honour three of the region’s top tourism performers this year, and I strongly encourage all tourism operators to nominate for an award next year.”

Tourists throw boomerangs at Mungalla Aboriginal Tours.

Croc spotted with Mungalla Aboriginal Tours.

Tourism Minister Andrew Powell congratulated the award winners for their outstanding contribution to the Queensland tourism industry.

“There are more than 64,000 tourism-related businesses across the state that employ 260,000 Queenslanders so to be recognised at this level is an outstanding achievement,” Mr Powell said.

Select category winners will gain automatic entry into the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, held in Adelaide on March 21.

Queensland Country Bank Stadium was awash with colour and excitement for P!nk's performance. Picture: Supplied.

Originally published as Three NQ businesses recognised at the 2024 Queensland Tourism Awards