Katherine Outback Experience, seven more NT businesses snag wins in 2024 Australian Tourism Awards

In a ‘huge win’ for the Territory, eight local tourism and events organisations took home national awards at the 2024 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in Adelaide.

Annabel with Sasha and Trev of Katherine Outback Experience have won gold in the Tourist Attractions category for a third time. Picture: Supplied.

In a “huge win” for the Territory, eight local tourism and events organisations took home national awards at the 2024 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in Adelaide last night.

On Friday evening, 22 finalists represented the region on the national stage – a disproportionately high number by national standards.

Bringing home gold was Katherine Outback Experience in the Tourist Attractions category for a third time, and Darwin Festival in Major Festivals and Events for a second time.

Landing silver awards were SEIT Tours for Cultural Tourism, Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia - Wintjiri Wiṟu for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experiences category, Safari Lodge Motel for 3–3.5 Star Accommodation, and Darwin Convention Centre in the hotly contested Business Event Venues category.

Darwin Festival scenes.

Finally, bronze was awarded to Uluru Audio Guide for Tourism Retail, Hire and Services for a second time, and award newcomer NT Driver Guide - Escorted Touring in the New Tourism Business category.

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Marie-Clare Boothby said the triumph was a victory for the wider community.

“This is a huge win for the Territory and highlights the exceptional quality of our tourism and hospitality industry,” she said.

“To have representation of such variety from across the whole Territory shows the calibre of the tourism and hospitality operators we have here.”

Ms Boothby said the Country Liberal Party would taking action to “turn around” the “downturn” left by the previous Labor Government.

“Increasing visitation goes further than boosting tourist numbers; it creates work for our local tourism operators, retailers and hospitality industry,” she said.