Airlie Beach has won Bronze in the Small Top Tourism Town category at the Australian Top Tourism Town Awards in Canberra on Wednesday 3 September. This is a huge award on the national scale and Bowen was also a nominee for the Top Tourism Town.
Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor was in Canberra for the announcement and said he was incredibly proud to see Airlie Beach recognised as the third best Small Tourism Town in the nation at the 2025 Australian Top Tourism Town Awards.
“This award is more than just a trophy as it reflects the passion, creativity and sheer determination of our local tourism operators, businesses, community groups and residents who all play their part in making Airlie Beach the vibrant and welcoming place it is today,” he said.
“What makes today even more special is that the Whitsundays was the only region in Australia to have two towns named as national finalists.”
Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins said the Whitsundays success at the Australian Top Tourism Town Awards once again proves that the Whitsundays is a world-class tourism destination.
“From Bowen’s pristine beaches and rich history to Airlie’s gateway to the islands and the Heart of the Great Barrier Reef, our region offers experiences that are unrivalled anywhere in the world,” said Mayor Collins.
“To our operators, volunteers, community champions, and the many locals who welcome visitors with open arms, this is a victory for every person who calls the Whitsundays home.
“Together we are building a reputation second to none, and as we head full steam towards hosting sailing at the 2032 Olympic Games, these awards prove that the Whitsundays is not just competing with the best in Australia but proudly leading the way.”
Tourism Whitsundays CEO Tim Booth said it was a huge honour to end up with two towns listed as finalists to represent Queensland.
“With both Bowen for the top tourism town as a finalist, and then Airlie Beach winning bronze for the small tourism town is incredible outcome for the region. I'm very very proud,” he said.
“Bowen is going through a fair bit of growth at the moment with the potential of space tourism coming to Queensland, which is really, really exciting.
“We're seeing the biggest use of the Great Barrier Reef Marine, with about 130,000 more visitors than any other region along the Great Barrier Reef going out from Airlie Beach, which is incredible.”
“This award is very important to towns like Airlie beach and Bowen from an economic prospect.
“In Airle Beach, one in two jobs is in the tourism industry, so it's incredibly important. It's a fabric of our town and part of the region. The more that we can continue to grow it, the more economic success all of our businesses will have.”
Tourism Whitsunday CEO Tim Booth also said with the Skyway Project they expect to see more and more growth in the region, in particular Airlie Beach and he and the Tourism Whitsunday team look forward to next year’s awards with Gold in their sights.
Tourism Whitsunday CEO Tim Booth, Chair of Tourism Whitsundays Julie Telford, Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins, Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business Leanne Abernethy, and Bowen Tourism and Business Visitor Services Coordinator Glenn Womal. Photo supplied
Queensland was represented at the Australian Top Tourism Town Awards. Photo sourced: Facebook
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2024 Mackay and Whitsunday Life Pty Ltd.
