Holidaying At Home Stronger Than Ever In 2022

Despite international borders opening earlier this year, Queensland recorded its highest ever intrastate visitor rate, noting a 21.5 per cent increase totalling $12.4 billion.

Queenslanders supporting Queenslanders was championed at this year’s Queensland Tourism Awards at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre last Friday night.

More than 1,000 tourism operators and individuals from around the state came together for the awards, from movers and shakers to mum and dad operators, Queensland’s tourism industry was championed with a total of 78 awards, including 31 Gold, 26 Silver and 20 Bronze Awards presented across 30 categories.

Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) CEO Brett Fraser said the 37th annual Queensland Tourism Awards had brought together an outstanding selection of operators that truly reflect the diverse range of the state’s quality tourism offerings.

“Collectively, this year’s recipients are a testament to the strength and calibre of the state’s tourism operators, and I applaud this great industry and its people for the innovation and resilience they have displayed,” Mr Fraser said.

“As Queensland records its highest interstate and intrastate visitors ever, it’s special to be able to celebrate Queenslanders supporting Queenslanders at this year’s awards after what has been a tumultuous couple of years for the industry,” Mr Fraser said.

“In true Queenslander spirit, we are embracing the difficulties we face together by re-connecting and discovering places in our own backyard, as together we are drawn to holidays within our home state.

“The past two years have redefined how people live, work and travel, and the intrastate tourism we are experiencing is directly correlated to this.

“But this exponential growth doesn’t come without major challenges for our operators who continue to battle with a lack of workforce.”

Mackay and Isaac tourism operators were well represented, with Mackay’s Wildcat taking the top gong in the Best New Tourism Business category, as covered on page 10.

Also putting their products under the spotlight, Isaac Regional Council's St Lawrence Wetlands Weekend Event and Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre (MECC).

Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre celebrated with a Silver Award in the Business Event Venues category, while Isaac Regional Council's St Lawrence Wetlands Weekend Event bought home a Bronze for Festival and Events.

“To be recognised amongst our statewide peers is extremely humbling,” a MECC spokesperson said.

“As Paul Donovan mentioned at the awards, “There is no ‘I’, there is only ‘us’ and ‘we’.”

“This recognition is a huge pat on the back for our dedicated staff and volunteers who consistently deliver high quality events.”

In securing bronze, an Isaac Regional Council spokesperson said “Recognised as one of Queensland's premiere events for the second year in a row, this amazing event is a partnership between council, Koinjmal People of Koinmerburra Country, St Lawrence community groups and the wonderful residents.”

Mackay Isaac Tourism CEO Al Grundy said being present at the award ceremony it was an honour to celebrate the Mackay Isaac Region’s tourism achievements.

“I congratulate Wildcat Mackay, the MECC and St Lawrence Wetlands Weekend on their achievements and recognise all our regional representatives on the incredible efforts put in to prepare submissions and succeed at these awards. Nominating is a rigorous process, only possible for operators and events that have truly excelled.

“To have three Mackay Isaac products recognised with awards shows how strong our offerings are and bode well for an exciting future of tourism development, visitation and growth for the region.”

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the Queensland Tourism Awards celebrated a remarkable year.

“It has been terrific to see Queensland domestic tourism bounce back so strongly with a nation-leading $19.6 billion in overnight visitor spending,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“We owe much of Queensland’s achievements to the hard work, resilience and innovation of the State’s tourism operators, some of whom are recognised by the 2022 Awards.

“Congratulations to this year’s award winners and finalists for delivering world-class visitor experiences and making Queensland a destination of choice.

“With the rebuild of our international visitor economy underway and a runway of opportunities to the 2032 Games, Queensland tourism operators have reason to be confident.”

Among the accolades presented was a new Hall of Fame winner, two RACQ People’s Choice Awards and in its inaugural year, a Judges Choice Award.

Select category winners will gain automatic entry into the Australian Tourism Awards, which will be held at Doltone House in Sydney on Friday 17 March 2023.

Next year the Queensland Tourism Awards will be held at the Cairns Convention Centre on Friday 24 November 2023.

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Wildcat Mackay won gold in the Best New Tourism Business category

The MECC won silver in the Business Event Venues category

Isaac Regional Council's St Lawrence Wetlands Weekend Event bought home a Bronze for Festival and Events