2017 Outback Queensland Tourism Awards Category Information

Category 1, Major Tourist Attractions This category recognises natural or built attractions that attract amongst the highest visitor numbers during the qualifying period. Category 2, Tourist Attractions This category recognises natural or built tourist attractions that attract significant visitor numbers during the qualifying period. Category 3, Festivals & Events This category recognises festivals, events and exhibitions that attract fewer than 50,000 visitors, enhance the profile and appeal of the destination in which they are held and create a significant economic impact for the destination. Category 4, Cultural Tourism This category recognises tourism operations that foster a greater understanding and appreciation of authentic culture, history, heritage and/or the arts. Category 5, Visitor Information & Services This category recognises the consistent delivery of high quality and face to face information services to the visitor. It is open to Visitor Information Centres, /Tourist Offices, Local Tourist Associations and Regional Tourism Organisations. Category 6, Major Tour and/or Transport Operators This category recognises a major contribution to tourism through the combined provision of touring and transport services. It is open to businesses with 15 or more annual fulltime equivalent employees Category 7, Tour and/or Transport Operators This category recognises a significant contribution to tourism through the combined provision of touring and transport services. It is open to businesses with fewer than 15 annual full time equivalent employees. Category 8, Destination Marketing This category recognises creativity and innovation in fully integrated destination marketing activities. This category is open to Regional Tourism Organisations, Local Tourist Associations, Visitor Information centres, Local Government and marketing alliances.

2017 Outback Queensland Tourism Awards

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Category 9, Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services This category is open to all restaurants and catering services offering a tourism experience and/or servicing the tourism industry. It is not a food award but does recognise a significant contribution to tourism through the provision of food and beverage. Entry is open – but not limited to – hotel or standalone restaurants, event caterers, pubs and cafes. Category 10, Caravan & Holiday Parks This category recognises excellence in caravan and holiday parks that offer cabin and tenting accommodation and enhanced the tourism experience in the destination. Category 11, Standard Accommodation This category is open to properties that deliver a broad range of amenities that exceed above average accommodation needs. Good quality service, design and physical attributes are typically fit for purpose to match guest expectations. Category 12, Hosted Accommodation This category is open to owner/operator accommodation providers offering a high degree of personal contact with guests. Entry is open – but not limited to – bed & breakfast, farm stay, cottage or other intimate, boutique, colonial or heritage accommodation. Category 13, Best Outback Queensland Pub This category is open to owners/operators of Outback Queensland’s iconic pubs. Category 14, Outstanding contribution by a volunteer or a volunteer group This award celebrates the strong, ongoing personal commitment made by an individual or team of volunteers who freely give their time and skill, contributing to the professionalism of our industry and the positive image of tourism in Outback Queensland. Category 15, Young Achievers Award This award recognises an individual, less than 32 years of age, working in the tourism industry and their contribution to the development of a vibrant and professional tourism industry. Category 16, New Tourism Business This category recognises new tourism businesses that have commenced operations during the qualifying period. This award recognises excellence in the planning and development of new tourism infrastructure and/or services. (Tourism businesses that have commenced a new product of opened a new infrastructure need to enter another category most applicable to the business). Category 17, Local Government Award for Tourism This category is open to all Local Government Authorities and recognises excellence in tourism planning, the provision of tourism facilities and services, marketing, event development, and the overall contribution made both locally and overall to the State tourism industry. Category 18, Outback Mate Award The Outback Mate Award is for an everyday person doing great things for the outback visitor experience, going out of their way to make tourists feel like locals and helping them to live Australia’s story in Outback Queensland. The recipient can be any member of the community and not necessarily directly involved in the tourism industry. Nominations are made by other members of the wider Outback community.

2017 Outback Queensland Tourism Awards

[email protected]

(07) 46501276

The Outback Mate Award The characters and locals of the Outback are an enormous part of what makes our region so special. From a simple wave on the highway to a personal account of a town’s history, the Outback is where the people make the place. To celebrate these community heroes OQTA is pleased to open the Outback Mate Award for the second time.

Who is this award for? The Outback Mate Award is for an everyday person doing great things for the outback visitor experience, going out of their way to make tourists feel like locals and helping them to Live Australia’s story in Outback Queensland.

The recipient can be any member of the community and is not necessarily directly involved in the tourism industry.

Nominations are made by other members of the wider Outback community to the OQTA and a selection process will narrow the nominations to be voted upon by the Outback Queensland tourism industry itself. This is a chance for the industry to recognise others in their community who are proud ambassadors of regional tourism and to formally thank them for their contribution to the authentic Outback experience.

2017 Outback Queensland Tourism Awards

[email protected]

(07) 46501276