Adventure Queensland (AQ), is excited to announce the winners of the 2024 Adventure Tourism Awards, the industry-led awards program now in its 4th year.
During the Youth and Adventure Tourism’s Industry’s night of nights on Thursday 7th November on the Gold Coast in Queensland, businesses big and small from all over Australia and New Zealand were recognised for their contribution to the tourism industry across 11 categories.
The inaugural event was organised by Adventure Queensland (AQ), the peak backpacking and independent travel industry body for Queensland, recognising the need for industry
collaboration within the Australian and New Zealand youth tourism sector. Working alongside Youth Toursm NSW (YTNSW) Youth Tourism Victoria, Backpacker Youth and Adventure Tourism Association NZ (BYATA) 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, Peta Zietsch, was pleased to see over 260 people travel to the Gold Coast to celebrate the 2024 Adventure Tourism Awards and support each other’s hard work and success.
“It is so important to formally recognise the outstanding tourism experiences, people and places within this dynamic industry. These awards were made extra special with the inclusion of consumer voting and our expert individual judging panel to judge submissions.”
“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!” Peta 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 Whitsundays Coast Airport, Allsop Bunting and Our Ark Insurance, Vanz Travel, Tourism Australia, Bookme, Dazhboards, LA Collective and Visit Oz.
Wendi Aylward, Managing Director of AIFS and Chair or BYTAP for 8 years received the Industry Legend Award.
2024 Adventure Tourism Awards Winners – Australia and New Zealand
| CATEGORY | WINNER | FINALISTS |
| Best Newcomer | Lylo Brisbane | Drifter |
| Eco Tourism | Drop Bear Adventures | Untamed Escapes, Ocean Rafting |
| Innovation | Vertigo | Dazhboards, Backpacker Deals |
| Best Backpacker Night Out | Nomads St Kilda | KB’s Noosa – Dirty Disco Bingo, Gilligans Bar |
| Best Transport | Spaceships Campervans | Stray Travel, Greyhound Australia |
| Best Travel Agent | Bookme | Dutchies Travel, Happy Travel |
| Best Accommodation | Bounce Noosa | Lylo Aukland, Flashpackers Noosa |
| Best Day Multi Tour/Activity | Ultimate Travel | Drop Bear Adventures, Untamed Escapes |
| Best Day Tour/Activity | Everglades Eco Safaris | Raging Thunder Tully River Rafting, Stradbroke Island Tour |
| Best Adventure Destination | The Whitsundays | Noosa |
| Peoples Choice Awards | Nomads St Kilda | KB’s Noosa – Dirty Disco Bingo, Bookme |
| Industry Legend | Wendi Aylward |
