Charting a course back
Boat crew earns coveted award as tourism recovers
THE incredible work and resilience of the tourism industry in the region has been recognised in the 2021 North Queensland Tourism and Events Awards.
The gala event, cancelled last year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, was held at The Pavilion in The Ville Resort-casino on Friday.
The highly regarded Richard Power Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual was won by husband and wife team Adam and Stephanie Hinks of Aquascene Charters.
Townsville Enterprise chief executive Claudia Brumme-smith said the couple were standout nominees after dedicating the past 16 years to not just growing their business but supporting the entire regional tourism industry.
“These are two incredibly passionate people who put a great deal of extra effort into helping the entire community thrive,” Ms Brumme-smith said.
“There is no task too big or too small that Adam and Steph are willing to be involved in if it means promoting the region and Magnetic Island.
“They are two of our region’s greatest advocates who devote their time to prosper Townsville, North Queensland with roles on the Reef Advisory Committee, Tourism Magnetic Island and working closely with Townsville Enterprise.”
Townsville Enterprise director visitor economy and marketing Lisa Woolfe said it was an important time to recognise what the tourism industry had endured and overcome since Covid-19 turned it upside down.
“This is an industry which is driven by a dogged determination to never
give up, powered by a passion to showcase and tell the stories of our paradise home,” Ms Woolfe said.
“More than 80 per cent of our tourism industry are small family-run businesses and supporting one another, and that sense of family, is what got the
industry through these challenging times.
“North Queensland’s tourism industry is worth $1.2bn to the economy and supports 8000 local jobs. It’s a crucial part of our fabric in Townsville, North Queensland.
“Each individual person or family that operates a tourism business in our region contributes to making Townsville, North Queensland the place we are proud to all call home, and a destination that attracts people to live, work and play.”