2023 Expedia Group TNQ Tourism Industry Excellence Awards celebrate record year of achievements for industry
The Tropical North Queensland tourism industry celebrated a year of record achievement at the 2023 Expedia Group TNQ Tourism Industry Excellence Awards at the Cairns Convention Centre on October 27.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive officer Mark Olsen said the record number of 30 entries and a new award category highlighted the growing significance of the awards.
“We celebrate a year of recovery with the tourism industry delivering a record $4.3 billion domestic visitor expenditure to our regional economy in the past financial year,” Olsen, said.
“It is fitting that we further acknowledge the hard work of our members with the addition of the outstanding commitment to the industry award recognising businesses, groups or organisations who go above and beyond to contribute to the Tropical North Queensland tourism industry.
“I congratulate each of the winners and Life Members who have helped the Tropical North Queensland tourism industry to excel.”
New life members
- Pip Woodward, founder of the CaPTA Group: Pip and her late husband Charlie Woodward pioneered rainforest tourism in Tropical North Queensland with the founding of Rainforestation Nature Park and expanded the family business over 50 years to become one of the largest tourism operators in the region. Pip is also well known for her philanthropic work through the charity COUCH founded by the Woodward family.
- Ken Chapman, Chairman of Skyrail Rainforest Cableway: As TTNQ’s immediate past Chair, Ken Chapman was instrumental in securing a record $10 million in Federal funding through the Recovery for Regional Tourism program for domestic marketing during the pandemic and $15 million under the International Tourism Recovery Program administered by Austrade. His family business Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is an iconic attraction that plays a key role in marketing Tropical North Queensland.
Other award recipients
- Outstanding Commitment to the Industry – Cairns Airport Ambassadors
- Outstanding Contribution by an Individual – AJ Hackett, Skypark by AJ Hackett
- Chair’s Award for Excellence – Silky Oaks Lodge
- Young Achiever Excellence Award – Jamie Binder, Marketing and Social Media Executive, Crystalbrook Collection
- 1st finalist – Jasmyn Tureia, People & Culture Business Partner, Crystalbrook Bailey
- 2nd finalist – Justin Baume, Guide, Cairns Adventure Group
- Customer Service Excellence Award – Cedric Lootvoet, Luxury Concierge, The Reef House
- 1st finalist – Cairns Airport Ambassadors
- 2nd finalist – Phoebe Urquhart Kereru, Trip Director, Passions of Paradise
- Sustainable Tourism Excellence Award – Small World Journeys
- 1st finalist – Sheraton Grand Mirage Port Douglas
- 2nd finalist – CaPTA Group
- Best of Queensland Experiences Program Award – FNQ Nature Tours
The awards are sponsored by the Expedia Group, Cairns Regional Council and our Corporate Partners Cairns Airport and Avis.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Expedia Group TNQ Tourism Industry Excellence Awards Ken Chapman Pip Woodward Tropical North Queensland tourismLatest News
P&O rescues Rotary volunteers after collapse of Air Vanuatu
P&O Cruises Australia has answered a plea for help from a group of young Australian Rotary volunteers, stranded in Vanuatu following the collapse of Air Vanuatu. The students, many of them teenagers from Albury, NSW, were volunteering for a youth project run by the Hive Rotary Club Australia when the airline abruptly cancelled all flights, […]
Intrepid continues expansions with launch of first DMC in Jordan
Intrepid has increased its presence in the Middle East with the opening of its first destination management company in Jordan. Based in Amman, the local team will operate Intrepid’s range of nine experiential small group tours in Jordan from this summer, with a view to expanding the range for 2025 and beyond. Zina Bencheikh, managing […]
Minor hotels appoints Puneet Dhawan to key Asia role
Global hotel owner and operator Minor Hotels has appointed Puneet Dhawan as head of Asia as the group plots its growth in Asia and India. From July, Dhawan will be responsible for the performance of all Minor Hotels properties in Asia, working in close collaboration with the Minor Hotels senior leadership team and will report […]
Abercrombie & Kent and Crystal appoint Evon Ler to director of sales, Asia
Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group have announced that Evon Ler will join them in the new role of director of sales, Asia. She will work closely with Tony Archbold (VP, Sales, APAC, Crystal) and Susan Haberle (VP, Sales & Partnerships, APAC, A&K) with trade support across the region. Ler comes to the A&K family with more […]
Government urges Aussies to ‘reconsider’ plans to visit Noumea as New Caledonia death toll hits five
The government has updated its advice for Aussies who may be considering New Caledonia during this time.
Situation ‘dire’ for Air Vanuatu as rival carriers look to swoop on flailing airline
Like a bird with no wings, Air Vanuatu is grounded as its only Boeing 737 heads to Melbourne after being repossessed.
Vivid Sydney will light up the Harbour City’s food scene
Local and international culinary stars will descend on Sydney for Vivid Food. Post-event hangovers a given...
Experience Co appoints Matthew Vince as the new interim head of marketing
We are still trying to confirm whether it is Matthew himself in the lead image, will report back.
Hotel Review: Atlantis The Palm – Luxury for the whole family
Of course ever parent knows the real luxury experiences come when you find a way to leave the kids somewhere.
Bridgerton is back! Live the REAL Colin & Penelope experience
The real Penelope experience would be falling in love with someone who doesn't love you back but that's hard to market.
Sailing the Sun: Six nights aboard Princess’ first Sphere Class ship
Cruising has always been extravagant and the Sun is no different, apart from riff raff like us being let on board.
Australian tourists are big spenders globally on experiences and nightlife, Mastercard report finds
Aussies do their bit for the global economy by propping up bars across the world. It's a proud day for us all.
Sydney confirms position as Australia’s No. 1 business events host
Surprise surprise... Sydney Harbour and the Opera House come up trumps. Can you tell we live here?
Luke Mangan launches Bistrot Bisou, in Hotel Indigo, his first Melbourne restaurant in over a decade
The news means we're due a trip to Melbourne, but we'll wait for winter to past first!
Surf magazine Tracks hunt for grommets to launch Airb’n’b-style platform for surfers
Three young surfers on an all expenses paid surf trip on the Aussie coast.... What could go wrong?
Luxury cruise ship Paspaley Pearl by Ponant has appointed a new team of industry experts
Paspaley Pearl by Ponant will offer a gem of a cruise, as the new team shows by their pearly whites.
Memphis Tourism brings blues to Sydney as it adds Jack Daniels to sponsor roster
Memphis Tourism would win the award for coolest sponsor if there was one. But there isn't.
Jetstar and Qantas perception ratings soar following Bonza’s implosion
Forget what your mum told you, you can make yourself look better by making others look bad.
Train over Plane – Journey Beyond releases The Overland’s 2025 season
Clickety-clack, more than a century on track. Unlike the Overland, our poetry is not in demand.
AmaWaterways launches Australian operations at Sydney office with panoramic Harbour views
You should click on this article for the content but it's also okay if you just want to see someone cut a ribbon.
Travel insurance expert’s top 3 tips for Aussies stranded in New Caledonia amid riots
Despite appearances, being stranded in a luxury resort isn't all milk and honey.
Perfect Somewheres: Hotels.com celebrates best-in-class venues for guest experiences
Surprisingly, no hotels with bed bugs were represented in the top 1% of top hotels.
Airports boss says $1.7 billion Budget innovation fund will “kickstart” domestic manufacture of sustainable aviation fuel
Time to start saving up your waste - Australia is about to become a hub of biofuel innovation!
Apparent launches ‘All heart, no hassle’ campaign for Flight Centre’s Corporate Traveller
Despite appearances, even the most severe-looking businessperson wants heart in their travel.
Indaba 2024: Losing out on memory, South Africa Tourism hands its fate to children
South Africa Tourism's chief marketing officer reminds us all we were once joyful children and not grumpy adults.
ACA & CLIA join forces ahead of Australian Tourism Exchange
Watch your back Kyle and Jackie 'O' - a new power couple is in town.
South Africa eyes affordable tourism to grow market
In an unlikely move, South African Tourism is actually encouraging young people to travel MORE.
ATIA applauds government’s fast-track passport announcement
Excellent news if you've ever experienced the sheer horror of realising you don't have a functioning passport.
DayAway names Aussie partners for luxury community based membership
Tired of dining with the riff raff? Get yourself a DayAway membership and slip into a life of luxury.
Silversea expands Nova Class with Silver Ray
Be prepared - this article has more silver than your local jewellers!
Tourism Tasmania CEO says a trip to Tassie could cure your Aurora Australis FOMO
With images like these - you're bound to regret being asleep during Australia's version of the northern lights.
Flight searches to Ho Chi Minh City skyrocket by 246% as city strengthens ties to Oz
We aren't endorsing ditching your work to look at flights to Ho Chi Minh but we're also not not endorsing it.
On Location: Rejoice! It’s Your Daily Wrap Of Africa’s Travel Indaba
Spare a moment to think about the cleaner who had to pick up all the confetti after this one kicked off.
Lack of budget spend will hit international visitor recovery, says Australian Tourism Industry Council
We've done the monotonous trawl through budget reports so you don't have to. You can thank us later!
On Location: Expedia CEO assures AI will not replace human roles, announces AI text assistant
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, unless its announced at a big conference, then it'll probably be reported.
VietJet walks away from Bonza investment, administrators look to maximise chance of survival
VietJet's making big plays in Australia but is drawing the line at buying a defunct airline.