THE Whitsundays night of nights, the 2014 Whitsunday Tourism and Business Awards, was again a glamorous celebration of the achievements of local businesses at a gala night held at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre on Saturday.
On the night, 27 local businesses were awarded for their outstanding achievements and excellence in business practice.
Whitsundays Marketing and Development Limited (WMDL) Executive Director Jeff Aquilina said it was an evening to celebrate the great local business community of the Whitsundays.
“We have been absolutely overwhelmed with the achievements of local businesses across the region in the past year and I would like to congratulate the finalists and winners of the awards,”
“The award celebrations have yet again demonstrated the passion, commitment and success of the Whitsundays business community and every single entrant can be really proud of their achievements,” Mr Aquilina said.
“The Whitsundays is a world-renown destination but the excellent customer service and business practice of our local industry ensures that visitors, future brides and locals can enjoy a fun-filled and worry-free experience in Australia’s premier holiday destination every single day,”
“On the night, we have had five businesses that have entered the Hall of Fame for winning the award of their respective category for the third consecutive year,” Mr Aquilina said.
“We have also honoured the outstanding contribution of Al Grundy to the local community over the past years and applauded the tireless contribution of the board members of Tourism Bowen to driving tourism for the region,” Mr Aquilina said.
MEET THE WINNERS
Daydream Island Resort & Spa: Best Tourist Attraction, Deluxe Accommodation (Hall of Fame), People’s Choice Award
Airlie Beach Race Week: Major Festivals and Events
Tourism Bowen: Festivals and Events (Heli Taxi’s Superboat Championships), Visitor Information Services (Bowen Information Centre), Destination Marketing (MangoGate), Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer or Volunteer Group (The Board Members of Tourism Bowen)
True Blue Sailing: The Steve Irwin Award for Ecotourism, Employer of the Year
Airlie Day Spa: Specialised Tourism Services, Health & Well Being Tourism (Hall of Fame), Employee of the Year (Hannah Denham)
Cruise Whitsundays: Major Tour and/or Transport Operator
Ocean Rafting: Tour and/or Transport Operator (Hall of Fame)
Whitsunday Jetski Tours: Adventure Tourism, Smile Whitsundays Customer Service Award, Business of the Year
Magnums Backpackers: Backpacker Accommodation (Hall of Fame)
Whitsunday Escape: Unique Accommodation (Hall of Fame)
Whitsunday Coast Airport: Local Government Award for Tourism
Party Cakes Whitsunday: Excellence in Food Tourism, Young Achiever Award (Vhari Kelly), Apprentice/Trainee of the Year (Wylie Jones)
Brooke Miles Photography: Non-Tourism Business
Clipper Restaurant (Coral Sea Resort): Tourism Restaurants & Catering
Al Grundy: Outstanding Contribution by an Individual
Nerida Conisbee Ray White Group Chief Economist The latest population projections from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) have just been released. While getting long term projections correct is notoriously difficult, the reality is that in the next 48 years we are very likely to have a much bigger Australia. … Read more
Nerida Conisbee Ray White Group Chief Economist The number of single people purchasing homes is falling but becoming more evenly matched by gender. Increasing cost of housing has meant that the proportion of single people purchasing homes is falling. In 2014, an estimated 26.2 per cent of purchasers were single. … Read more