12 October 2008                                                   

Almost 500 Tropical North Queensland’s tourism representatives and supporters gathered at the Cairns Convention Centre on Saturday night to honour those in the industry who have displayed excellence in their field during the past year and to celebrate 10 years of the TNQ Tourism Awards.

Winners were announced in 23 award categories covering the spectrum of activities in the industry.  Several special awards including a new category of Young Achiever and two Encouragement Awards were also made during the 2008 Tropical North Queensland Tourism Awards’ glittering Gala.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer Rob Giason said the tenth Tropical North Queensland Tourism Awards was another great success in challenging times.

“We shared the evening with Queensland ’s Minister for Tourism Desley Boyle, Mayor of Cairns Val Schier, and Member for Leichhardt Jim Turnour who are all great supporters of the region’s tourism industry and with some of our airline partners.” Mr Giason said.

“I congratulate every one of the TTNQ members who entered this year’s awards.  Our awards judging panel had the taxing task of selecting the winners from a field of exceptionally high standard entries,” Mr Giason said.

“The event was entertaining and fun, and we sincerely thank the many sponsors whose generosity helped to make the Gala possible.”

“The spirit of the Tropical North Queensland’s tourism industry shone through the whole evening which was a celebration of achievement.  This year, those achievements were made in tough economic times through belief in our region and our industry.”

“I always enjoy seeing the excitement on the faces of the winners as they received their awards.  I congratulate them on their outstanding achievement, and all the awards entrants on their dedication and hard work for the Tropical North Queensland tourism industry.”

During the evening, three operators who have won their category of the TNQ Tourism Awards for three consecutive years were inducted into the TNQ Tourism Awards Hall of Fame.  Adding their names to this very exclusive list were, Big Cat Green Island Cruises, Daintree Discovery Centre and Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat.

A new category of Young Achiever saw Abbie McCrisken awarded for the impact she has made on the tourism industry in Tropical North Queensland in her career to date.

One of the industry’s elder statesmen, John Courtenay, was presented with the Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual in honour of the huge contribution he has made to tourism over many years.

Donna Anderson who until last year, had headed up the TNQ Tourism Awards judging panel for many years was made a Life Member of the organisation in recognition of her role of leadership and service to the Tropical North Queensland tourism industry.

The Chairman’s Award for Excellence is for a project, initiative, product or service which has an impact on Tropical North Queensland.  This year the award went to Cairns Port Authority.

2008 TNQ TOURISM AWARDS WINNERS
Category	Winner
Major Tourist Attraction	Cairns Tropical Zoo
Significant Tourist Attraction	Undara Experience
Festivals And Events	Events NQ for Quicksilver's Food, Wine and a Taste of Port
Ecotourism	Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours
Heritage, Cultural and Indigenous Tourism	Kuku Yalanji Dreamtime
Specialised Tourism Services	tourismportdouglas.com.au
Visitor Information and Services	Cairns Visitors' Guide
Meetings and Business Tourism	Events NQ
Major Tour and Transport Operator	Coral Princess Cruises
Tour and Transport Operator	Calypso Reef Charters
Adventure Tourism	Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours
Tourism Marketing	Australian Tourist Publications
Tourism Education and Training	Savannah Guides Ltd
Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services	The Sebel Reef House and Spa Palm Cove
Tourism Wineries and Breweries	Murdering Point Winery
Tourist and Caravan Parks	BIG 4 Atherton Woodlands Tourist Park
Hostel Accomodation	The Northern Greenhouse
Unique Accommodation	The Pink Flamingo
Standard Accommodation	Sea-s-ta Holiday House
Deluxe Accomodation	The Lakes Cairns Resort and Spa
Luxury Accommodation	Peppers Bale' Resort
New Tourism Development	Peppers Bale' Resort
Young Achiever	Abbie McCrisken
Encouragement Award	End of the Road Motel
Encouragement Award	Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve
Outstanding Contribution by an Individual	John Courtenay
Chairman’s Award for Excellence	Cairns Port Authority
Life Member	Donna Anderson
Hall of Fame	Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat
Hall of Fame	Big Cat Green Island Cruises
Hall of Fame	Daintree Discovery Centre