Tourism Tropical North Queensland awards excellence
From pioneers who helped build Cairns into a world-leading tourist destination to young and innovative newcomers shaking up the industry, here are all the winners from the TNQ Tourism Industry Excellence Awards.
Cairns
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Pioneers who have helped build Cairns into a world leading tourist destination and young and innovative newcomers shaking up the industry have been recognised at the TNQ Tourism Industry Excellence Awards.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Mark Olsen said 180 tourism industry members gathered to applaud excellence at the glitzy awards night held at the Screen Queensland Studio in Cairns on Friday night.
“The recipients are spread throughout our region illustrating the quality of the diverse range of products that make Tropical North Queensland an internationally renowned destination,” he said.
“I congratulate the winners and finalists and indeed the entire industry for rising above a very tough start to 2024 and continuing to deliver a warm welcome and exceptional experience to our visitors.”
The visionary owners of Paronella Park, Mark and Judy Evans were awarded TTNQ life memberships for the exemplary contribution to tourism, sustainability, environmental, wildlife and heritage preservation.
The couple bought the rundown park in 1993 and undertook an ambitious restoration to offer day and night tours with passionate guides.
They expanded their tourism footprint with the purchase of the Mena Creek Hotel, the neighbouring van park and the Mamu Tropical Skywalk.
The organisers of Savannah in the Round and Port Douglas developer John Morris were recognised for their outstanding commitment to the industry.
The annual Savannah in the Round event brings in $5.4 million a year in overnight visitor expenditure and more than 7500 people to the Mareeba area.
A once in a lifetime spin-off event was created this year to drive ticket sales for Savannah n the Round and reward the heroes in our community using support from the Tourism Recovery Package funded by the Queensland and Australian governments.
Mr Morris, known as Mister Port Douglas, is credited with shaping the iconic tourism town after moving there in 1974 looking for a boat berth with his wife Marilyn.
He worked with the council and community in the 70s on a town plan for the sleepy seaside village to ensure any future development would be no higher than a coconut palm.
Now aged 96, John has just completed his most recent development, Escape Villas. He can be found at work every day in Choo Choo, his restaurant at the marina, and continues to sit on the Quicksilver Cruises Board.
He has also served on the Tourism Australia and Tourism and Events Queensland Boards.
FNQ Nature Tours took home the Best of Queensland Experience Excellence Award for the second year in a row with a perfect score of 100 developed from independent criteria incorporating online customer reviews
FNQ Nature Tours is a small group experience with expert guides who help guests to understand the unique rainforest environment and the wildlife that call it home.
James Boettcher and his team have been bringing the rainforest to life for visitors since 2016.
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