GOING FOR GOLD!

3 Towns, 3 Medals Up For Grabs!

VOTING CLOSES TODAY!
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Three towns in the Whitsundays are in the spotlight this week having all become finalists in the Queensland Top Tourism Town Awards.

Bowen, Airlie Beach and Collinsville have all been nominated in a different category so it is possible that all three could come home with a gold award if they receive the most amount of votes.

Tourism Whitsundays, Bowen Tourism and Business, Whitsunday Regional Council (and your favourite weekly newspaper!) are all asking everyone in the community to cast their votes today before voting closes at 5pm so the Whitsundays has a chance of bringing home triple gold!

Vote Now And Vote For All Three!

Voting for the Queensland Top Tourism Awards closes at 5pm today (Friday 17th May) and all residents are encouraged to take the time to vote for all three towns so the Whitsundays has a chance to bring home three gold medals in their respective categories.

Bowen has been nominated for the Top Tourism Town award because it has a population of more than 5000.

This is the fourth time Bowen has been a finalist for this award and it is hoped this will be the year they bring home the accolade.

Meanwhile, Airlie Beach is a finalist in the Top Small Tourism Town Award category for a population between 1,500 and 5,000.

Having won gold in this category for the last two years in a row, it is hoped this year will be a trifecta.

Finally, this is the first time Collinsville has been nominated and it is a proud moment to see them immediately become a finalist in the Top Tiny Tourism Town Awards, for a town with a population under 1,500.

Bowen Tourism and Business was instrumental in putting the submission together for Collinsville and are hoping the small town will get the recognition it deserves.

Jenn Honnery, Chair of Bowen Tourism and Business said they are very proud to see both Bowen and Collinsville make the finals as top tourism towns in Queensland.

“Over the past few years Collinsville has become a favourite stop for RVs and truly punches above its weight when it comes to delivering a rich and engaging experience for visitors,” she said.

Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy agreed, saying she hopes all three towns bring home an award.

“We are proud of our towns and our entire region and would be super excited if the three Whitsunday towns could all come home with Gold,” she expressed.

Tourism Whitsundays CEO, Rick Hamilton encouraged locals and visitors alike to vote for The Whitsundays towns. 
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“We have the opportunity to claim all three titles!” he said.  
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“Winning all three categories would highlight the incredible diversity and unforgettable experiences The Whitsundays offer and put us, once again, on the national stage." 
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Mayor Ry Collins added that he’s thrilled to see the Whitsundays' towns represented across all categories in the Queensland Top Tourism Town Awards. 
  
“This recognition not only celebrates the beauty of our region and the unique experiences we have to offer, but also the dedication of our local community and businesses in creating unforgettable memories for visitors,” Mayor Collins said. 
  
“I urge everyone to cast their votes and support our towns as we aim for a clean sweep in showcasing the best of what the Whitsundays has to offer." 
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Queensland residents and visitors are encouraged to cast their votes for their favourite destinations before voting closes on Friday May 17th at 5pm.

Presented by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC), the awards recognise outstanding regional communities that excel in providing exceptional visitor experiences.  

Queensland winners will be announced in a function in Brisbane on June 7.

State winners will progress to the national Top Tourism Town Awards later this year.  

Last year Airlie Beach tourism operators gathered to celebrate the announcement that Airlie Beach had won the Top Small Tourism Town Award for the second time in a row. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

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