NQ’S best tourism hotspots revealed
NORTH Queensland’s biggest events and tourism hot spots have been identified after the winners of the 2022 North Queensland Tourism and Events Awards were notified late on Friday.
The annual slate of awards saw a number of surprise winners crowned this year, after a tumultuous 12 months following on from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Townsville Enterprise’s Director of Visitor Economy and Marketing Lisa Woolfe said the awards had accrued strong interest this year across the People’s Choice round.
“We received more than 17,000 votes over the fourweek voting period across the Award’s six People’s Choice Categories – a record number for this event and a great sign of support for our industry,” Ms Woolfe said.
In total 16 winners were announced, with a number of deserving runner ups also receiving recognition.
Among the mainstays, familiar faces once again found success as The Ville Resort-casino was recognised in the accommodation category, and Texas Longhorn Tours won the best Tour and Attraction award.
The importance of sport to the region was highlighted by the Cowboys two blockbuster XXXX Derby matches being
awarded best major event, as well as the Laurie Spina Shield competition taking out the award for best destination event after bringing thousands to the city earlier this year.
“It was great to see the North Queensland Cowboys (Cowboys v Broncos) receive the Best Major Event and the North Australian Festival of Arts as the runner up,” Ms Woolfe said.
“A perfect example of the diversity of our region’s events calendar and the important role the Cowboys play
in visitation to the city.”
Magnetic Island also cemented it’s sport as one of the region’s top tourism destinations across a number of categories.
“Magnetic Island continually punches above its weight
when it comes to the exceptional destination experiences and it’s clear our locals and visitors agree,” Mrs Woolfe said.
“We were also thrilled to announce Izzy Bee from Netflix’s Izzy’s Koala World, Magnetic Island local and our latest tourism campaign Am
bassador as the recipient of the Young Achiever Award.”
ALL AWARD WINNERS:
Accommodation
Winner: The Ville ResortCasino
Runner Up: Kernow Charters Towers
Dining
Winner: Cowboys Leagues Club
Runner Up: A Touch Of Salt Tours and Attraction Winner: Texas Longhorn Tours
Runner Up: Pilgrim Sailing
Transport
Winner: Sealink North Queensland Q
Runner Up: Magnetic Island l Ferries
Best Major Event
Winner: North Queensland Toyota Cowboys (Cowboys v Broncos)
Runner Up: North Australian l Festival of Arts
Best Destination Event
Winner: North Queensland Toyota T Cowboys – Laurie Spina Shield
Runner Up: Sealink Magnetic n Island Race Week
Most Voted
The Ville Resort-casino
100% Best of Queensland Score S
• Aquascene Magnetic Island l
• Orpheus Island Lodge
• Big Mama Sailing • Billabong Sanctuary
• The Ville Resort-casino
Highest Review Score – Tours
Winner: Jetski Hire Magnetic Island
Runner Up: Pilgrim Sailing Third: Magnetic Islands Best Bus Tour
Highest Review Score – Accommodation
Winner: Orpheus Island Lodge
Runner Up: Kernow Charters Towers
Third: Townsville Tourist and Lifestyle Village
Young Achiever Award
Winner: Izzy Bee
Richard Power Award for Outstanding Contribution
Winner: Laurie Murphy