Bowen Tourism And Business Celebrates Dual Nominations

Bowen Tourism and Business is celebrating after being nominated in two categories at the inaugural Whitsunday Business Awards, marking another major milestone for the organisation that has long championed the region’s visitor economy.

The organisation will be vying for Community Champion and Customer Service Champion, two categories that recognise outstanding service.  The categories highlight local businesses making a genuine impact in the Whitsundays and celebrating those who consistently go above and beyond to deliver outstanding customer experiences.

For Bowen Tourism and Business, the nominations reflect not only its frontline work in welcoming visitors but also its wider role in promoting the Whitsundays as a whole.

Manager Leanne Abernethy said the organisation was thrilled to be recognised in the first year of the awards program.

“We are very pleased to be in the running in two categories at the Whitsunday Business Awards,” she said.

“Every member of our team, including staff and our dedicated volunteers, is proud of the role we play in championing the entire Whitsundays region.

“We pride ourselves on exceptional customer service and our welcoming hospitality. We aim to make every visitor feel like a guest in our home and we provide them with information of hidden gems in the entire region to assist in planning their trip.”

The nominations follow a string of achievements for Bowen Tourism and Business. The team won the Customer Service Award at last year’s Tourism Whitsunday Awards, was named Visitor Information Centre of the Year at the 2025 Queensland Information Centre Conference, and this year saw its volunteers take home Bronze at the Queensland Tourism Awards.

Leanne said having the new awards established specifically to acknowledge local business excellence makes the recognition even more meaningful.

“We are very pleased that these awards have been introduced, giving every business in our region the chance to celebrate success,” she said.

“The awards night is also an excellent networking opportunity.”

Bowen Tourism and Business attributes much of its success to the people who greet visitors every day. The organisation’s volunteers remain at the heart of its operations, offering what Leanne describes as “country hospitality that is second-to-none.” Their dedication, paired with strong marketing efforts and recent accolades, has contributed to a record number of visitors to the Bowen Visitor Information Centre this year.

The centre also plays a vital economic role in the region, stocking an extensive range of locally made products and souvenirs that support businesses right throughout the Whitsundays.

Beyond this, the centre is busier than ever, welcoming more than 1000 visitors every week.

Among the centre’s most popular offerings is its famous mango sorbet, made from 100 per cent natural Kensington Pride mangoes grown in Bowen, provides an authentic taste of the region to travellers and locals alike.

As the awards night approaches, Bowen Tourism and Business express their gratitude to those who support its work year-round. Leanne thanked the volunteer committee and the Whitsunday Regional Council for its ongoing financial support.

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Bowen Tourism and Business team members - Leanne Abernethy, Glenn Womal, Melissa Beuzeville, Trudy Starkey, Cindy Tonks, Kate Mackie. Photo supplied

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