Adventure Queensland (AQ), were delighted to announce the winners of the 2018 Adventure Tourism Awards. The introduction of an industry led awards program was a first for the backpacker and youth travel Industry.
During the Youth and Adventure Tourism’s Industry’s night of nights on Wednesday 14 November on the Gold Coast in Queensland, both big and small businesses from all over Australia and New Zealand were recognised for their contribution to the tourism industry across 30 categories.
The inaugural industry led event was organised by Adventure Queensland (AQ), the peak backpacking and independent travel industry body for Queensland, who recently identified the need for industry collaboration within the Australian and New Zealand youth tourism sector.Working alongside Backpacker Operators Association NSW (BOA) and the Backpacker Youth Tourism Advisory Panel (BYTAP), the Adventure Tourism Awards provided an opportunity for industry members to come together and celebrate outstanding contribution and excellence.
President of Adventure Queensland, David Cox, was pleased to see over 250 people travel to the Gold Coast to celebrate the 2018 Adventure Tourism Awards and support each other’s hard work and success.
“It is important to formally recognise outstanding tourism experiences, people and places within this dynamic industry.”
“Congratulations to all the finalists and winners of the night. Your passion and commitment for our segment is evident and the achievement is so very well deserved!” David said.
The ceremony was put together by the volunteer based AQ committee and in a true example of industry collaboration has only been made possible due to the wonderful support of sponsors such as Adventium Technology, Hostelworld, Tourism Australia, Vodafone, Visit Oz, Ocean Rafting and Sealink.
Sales Captain for Ocean Rafting on the Whitsundays, Nathan Fleming received the Young Industry Legend Award, while the Head of Marketing for YHA Australia, Janet McGarry, took home the Industry Legend Award.
2018 Adventure Tourism Awards Winners
| CATEGORY | WINNER | FINALISTS |
|
Green Award/ Ecotourism |
Kanu Kapers Australia | On the Wallaby, Whitsundays Sailing Adventures |
| Best Transport – Australia | Spaceships Campervans | Jucy Australia, Stray Travel |
| Best Transport – New Zealand | Kiwi Experience | Stray Travel, Spaceships Campervans |
| Best Backpacker Night – Australia | The Woolshed | Down Under Bar Brisbane, Wicked Club Crawl |
| Best Backpacker Night – New Zealand | Big Night Out | |
| Best Accommodation NSW | Wake Up! Byron Bay | Byron Bay YHA, Nomads Byron Bay |
| Best Accommodation NT | Jump Inn Alice Budget Accommodation | Cooindah Lodge, Melaleuca on Mitchell |
| Best Accommodation QLD | Halse Lodge Noosa YHA | Brisbane City YHA, Bunk Surfers Paradise |
| Best Accommodation SA | Adelaide Central YHA | Vivonne Bay Lodge, Port Elliot Beach House YHA |
| Best Accommodation TAS | The Pickled Frog Backpackers | |
| Best Accommodation VIC | Melbourne Central YHA | United Backpackers, Melbourne City Backpackers |
| Best Accommodation WA | Fremantle Prison YHA | Billabong Backpackers Resort, The Old Swan Barracks |
| Best Accommodation – AUSTRALIA | Halse Lodge Noosa YHA | Melbourne Central YHA, Wake Up Byron Bay |
| Best Accommodation – NEW ZEALAND | Haka Lodges | Tamaki Maori Village, JUCY Snooze, |
| Best Tour/Activity NSW | Intro Travel | Skydive Australia, Surf Camp Australia |
| Best Tour/Activity NT | The Rock Tour | Wayoutback Australian Safaris, Crocosaurus Cove |
| Best Tour/Activity QLD | Drop Bear Adventures | True Blue Sailing, Uncle Brians Tours |
| Best Tour/Activity SA | Calypso Star Charters | Nullarbor Traveller, Kangaroo Island Adventure Tours |
| Best Tour/Activity TAS | Jump Tours | |
| Best Tour/Activity VIC | Welcome To Travel | Skydive Australia, Bunyip Tours |
| Best Tour/Activity WA | Live Ningaloo | Nullarbor Traveller, Skydive Australia |
| Best Tour/Activity AUSTRALIA | Drop Bear Adventures | Live Ningaloo, Calypso Star Charters |
| Best Tour/Activity NEW ZEALAND | Haka Tours | Tamaki Maori Village, Kiwi Experience |
| Best Online Travel Agent | Dutchies Travel | Bookme, Sailing Whitsundays |
| Best Travel Agent – Australia | Peterpans Adventure Travel | ABC Travel, Backpackers World Travel |
| Best Travel Agent – New Zealand | Peterpans Adventure Travel | Backpackers World Travel |
| Best Youth/ Adventure Marketed Destination | Noosa | The Red Centre NT, Whitsundays |
| Innovation Award | Travello | Junction 6, Bookme |
| Young Industry Legend | Nathan Fleming | |
| Industry Legend | Janet McGarry |
GALLERY
