WHITSUNDAYS BRINGS HOME GOLD AT THE AUSTRALIAN TOURISM AWARDS

Red Cat Adventures brings home Gold and Silver!. It was the Australian tourism industry’s night of nights, and The Whitsundays was front and centre of the celebrations at the 2020 Australian Tourism Awards in Canberra last night.
The Whitsundays had two operators in the running for the top spots in three different categories; Cumberland Charter Yachts for Unique Accommodation and Red Cat Adventures
for Major Tour and Transport Operators and Adventure Tourism.

Red Cat Adventures won GOLD for Major Tour and Transport Operators and SILVER for
Adventure Tourism. Cumberland Charter Yachts came in fourth for Unique Accommodation. Tourism Whitsundays CEO Tash Wheeler said we might be a small region, but pack a punch!
“The Whitsundays tourism operators consistently achieve above the benchmark; we are a small region with the highest standard of experiences on offer, which was once again
demonstrated by last night’s wins!“It’s an honour for The Whitsunday tourism industry to have these businesses representing us at the Australia Tourism Awards,” she said.

A wide and diverse range of tourism businesses enter their state and territory Tourism Awards; from those awards, over 200 state and territory finalists reach the prestigious status of
becoming a national finalist. Tourism is the lifeblood of many businesses in The Whitsundays; it accounts for one in three jobs and injects over $790 million into the local economy. It’s fair to say these national wins help to put The Whitsundays top of mind for holidaymakers when seeking the very best experiences on offer.

Red Cat Adventures co-owner and operator Julie Telford was ecstatic to take home gold again.
“Being recognised at a national level for the second time, in two award categories, is a tremendous honour for our business.
“We have an amazing team at Red Cat Adventures who have helped make these wins possible,” she said.

The Australian Tourism Awards is the tourism industry’s peak awards recognising and promoting excellence in the Australian tourism industry. First established by the Federal
Government in 1985, the Australian Tourism Awards are now owned and managed by Australian Tourism Awards Inc, on behalf of the tourism industry.

Whitsunday Regional Council CEO Kenn Donohoe said he was elated that Whitsunday operators were being recognised for their quality tourism products on a national stage. “These awards are recognition for the amazing resilience and enthusiasm of our tourism operators and also the industry leadership by Tourism Whitsunday CEO Tash Wheeler and the
board,” he said. “We are the custodians for a wonderful and unique part of the world, so I encourage our community to shout proud and loud that the Whitsunday Region is the best tourist destination in the world,” he said.

Cumberland Charter Yachts General Manager Sharon McNally said it was an honour to be considered for the awards.
“To be considered the best in your state is an honour, to be representing the Whitsundays and Queensland in front of the whole country is overwhelming and very exciting,” said Sharon.
“A lot of hard work and effort goes into the award submission process. It makes you evaluate your business across various aspects and a great way to ensure we are constantly striving to
offer our guests the ultimate holiday experience,” she said.

Congratulations to Cumberland Charter Yachts and Red Cat Adventures for their achievements and for proudly representing the Whitsunday region.