Tourism Operators Celebrate Successful Year

Celebrating the success of local tourism operators and their contribution to the region’s economy took centre stage at the 2018 Mackay Region Tourism Awards, held last night at the Windmill Motel and Events Centre.

115 people were in attendance last night, representing the region’s tourism businesses and industry stakeholders including Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert MP, Mayor of Mackay Regional Council Cr. Greg Williamson and Mayor of Isaac Regional Council Cr. Anne Baker.

Capping off a successful year for tourism, which saw record numbers of domestic and international visitors, the Mackay Region Tourism Awards saw 19 operators achieve success across 16 categories.

Multi award winners included Sarina Sugar Shed, Rainforest Scuba, ibis Mackay and The Feathered Nest – Luxury Wildlife Retreat.

New entrant Twenty 50 Nice Cream put the sweetener on a successful first year of operation with a gold award for a New Tourism Business and a silver in the Tourism Restaurant and Catering Services category.

Judy Langdon, Owner of Hay Point Country Bed & Breakfast and Mackay Tourism Board member was recognised for her contribution to the tourism industry with the award of Outstanding Contribution by an Individual.

New for this year, were the induction of three tourism operators into the Mackay Region Tourism Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame being reserved for operators who had won gold for three consecutive years in their respective category.

The inaugural Hall of Fame inductees were Sarina Sugar Shed into the Tourist Attraction, and Excellence in Food Tourism categories, ibis Mackay for Standard Accommodation, and The Feathered Nest – Luxury Wildlife Retreat for Unique Accommodation.

General Manager of Mackay Tourism, Tas Webber, congratulated the award winners.

“The 2018 Mackay Region Tourism Awards are an opportunity to recognise the valuable contribution our hard-working operators make to our tourism industry and the Mackay and Isaac regional communities”.

Mr Webber continued, “The Mackay Region is blessed with many dedicated tourism operators that Mackay Tourism has the pleasure of working with. The hard work and professionalism of tourism operators across the region allows us to market our region across the world, and brings joy and lasting memories to hundreds of thousands of visitors each year”.

“I would like to congratulate the award winners and I am confident that 2019 will bring further success and growth for The Mackay Region’s tourism industry” said Mr Webber.

2018 Mackay Region Tourism Awards Winners

Tourist Attraction
Gold – Sarina Sugar Shed
Bronze – Rainforest Scuba

Festivals and Events
Bronze – Elton John ‘Once in a Lifetime’ Tour - Mackay Regional Council

Adventure Tourism
Bronze – Rainforest Scuba

Business Event Venues
Gold – Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre

Tour and Transport Operators
Bronze – Rainforest Scuba

Excellence in Food Tourism
Gold – Sarina Sugar Shed

Tourism Restaurant and Catering Services
Gold – The Old Station Teahouse
Silver – Twenty50 Nice Cream

Ecotourism
Bronze – Rainforest Scuba

Standard Accommodation
Gold – Ibis Mackay
Bronze - Comfort Resort Blue Pacific

Unique Accommodation
Gold – The Feathered Nest – Luxury Wildlife Retreat

Hosted Accommodation
Bronze – Hay Point Country Bed and Breakfast

Caravan and Holiday Parks
Gold – Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park
Silver – BIG4 Mackay Blacks Beach Holiday Park

New Tourism Business
Gold – Twenty50 Nice Cream

Young Achiever
Sophie Bonanno

Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer or Volunteer Group
Sarina Tourist Art and Craft Centre

Outstanding Contribution by an Individual
Judy Langdon

2018 Hall of Fame

Tourist Attraction
Gold – Sarina Sugar Shed

Excellence in Food Tourism
Gold – Sarina Sugar Shed

Standard Accommodation
Gold – Ibis Mackay

Unique Accommodation
Gold – The Feathered Nest – Luxury Wildlife Retreat

For further information, contact:

Dan Brown
Communications Officer

Mackay Tourism
Phone: 0448 994 180
Email: communications@mackayregion.com
Website: www.mackayregion.com
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