MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
13 November 2021
The Whitsundays makes a Splash with Big Wins at the 2021 Queensland Tourism Awards
The Whitsundays continues its reign as a prize-winning holiday destination, bringing home 10 awards at the 2021 Queensland Tourism Awards.
The 2021 Queensland Tourism Awards were held Friday 12 November at Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre where more than 1,100 guests gathered to honour the state’s best tourism operators across 31 award categories.
Seventeen Whitsunday operators were nominated in the Queensland Tourism Awards, including: BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort, BIG4 Whitsundays Tropical Eco Resort, Coral Sea Marina Resort, Cruise Whitsundays, Elysian Retreat, Explore Group Australia, InterContinental Hayman Island Resort, Mirage Whitsundays, Ocean Rafting, Pinnacles Resort, Queens Beach Tourist Village, Red Cat Adventures, Tourism Whitsundays, Whitsunday Coast Airport, Whitsunday Escape, Whitsunday Vacations and Wings Sailing Charters Whitsundays.
Tourism Whitsundays Chief Executive Officer, Rick Hamilton commended the winners on their unfailing commitment to providing visitors with world-class tourism experiences.
“The past year, for all its stresses and challenges, has brought out the best in our operators,” Mr Hamilton said.
“The Whitsundays is home to some of the world’s most iconic experiences and products and our tourism businesses have been keeping the region open for everyone to enjoy. To win 10 awards in 2021 is an incredible feat that reaffirms the region as a top tourist destination for visitors from near and far.”
Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Andrew Willcox proudly congratulated the winners as well as all the region’s operators.
“We have the best of the world right in our backyard and the tourism businesses are the beating heart of The Whitsundays,” he said.
“Tonight’s winners represent the very best in what we have to offer travellers and adventure-seekers who come here for unforgettable experiences.”
Congratulations to InterContinental Hayman Island Resort, Pinnacles Resort, Cruise Whitsundays, Whitsunday Escape, BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort, Tourism Whitsundays, Red Cat Adventures, Ocean Rafting, and Whitsunday Coast Airport who won awards at the 2021 Queensland Tourism Awards last night.
For the first time in history, across three consecutive years, upon entering the State Awards for the first time, Red Cat Adventures has won gold in the Adventure Tourism category and Major Tour and Transport Operator category. This is a huge achievement, congratulations to Red Cat Adventures who are now in the Hall of Fame for not one, but two categories.
In 2021, the Queensland Tourism Awards celebrated not only the best tourism businesses but also acknowledged the challenges faced by operators over the past 18 months and recognised their tenacity.
Ranging from 5 Star and Self Contained Accommodation to Adventure Tourism and Major Tour and Transport Operators, the winners in each category showcased the finest experiences and services that Queensland offered visitors.
The success of The Whitsundays at the 2021 Queensland Tourism Awards recognises the state’s most tourism-reliant region for the unique, world-class experiences that make it a premier destination.
WHITSUNDAYS WINNERS
Gold Awards
InterContinental Hayman Island Resort: 5 Star Accommodation category
Pinnacles Resort: Self Contained Accommodation category
Red Cat Adventures: Adventure Tourism category
Red Cat Adventures: Major Tour and Transport Operators category
Silver Awards
Cruise Whitsundays: Unique Accommodation category
BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort: Caravan and Holiday Parks category
Ocean Rafting: Major Tour and Transport Operators category
Whitsunday Coast Airport: Tourism Retail and Hire Services category
Bronze Awards
Whitsunday Escape: Unique Accommodation category
Tourism Whitsundays: Richard Power Award for Tourism and Marketing Campaigns category
Hall of Fame
Red Cat Adventures: Adventure Tourism category
Red Cat Adventures: Major Tour and Transport Operators category
