QTIC introduces Top Tour Guide Award as new accolade in 2023

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council is encouraging all Queenslanders to nominate their favourite hotspots, local treasures, and hidden gems for the 2023 Queensland Top Tourism Town Awards along with nominations for their new accolade of Top Tour Guide.

The Top Tour Guide Award will recognise a tour guide or coach captain who goes above and beyond in providing guests with an outstanding experience.

Presented by QTIC, the annual Top Tourism Town Awards recognise Queensland’s diverse and outstanding regional destinations.

There are now four awards in the program for 2023:

• Top Tourism Town Award – those with a population over 5,000

• Top Small Tourism Town Award – those with a population between 1,500 – 5,000

• Top Tiny Tourism Town Award – those with a population below 1,500

• Top Tour Guide Award

QTIC Chief Executive Brett Fraser shared “The Top Tourism Town Awards allow us to shine the spotlight on Queensland’s favourite gems and to reward communities who are united in delivering a great holiday experience.

“We’re calling on tourism operators and locals to come together and unite in nominating their regional communities and showing our expert tourism judges why their destination deserves to be crowned a Top Tourism Town.

“Over the last 12 months, Queensland has consistently topped the national charts for visitor spending. Our sunshine state is officially Australia’s favourite holiday destination and we’re looking to crown the best of the best across the state.

“Whether it’s fossil hunting in the outback, escaping to a rainforest retreat or accessing the reef from a coastal hideaway, Queensland is home to countless exceptional destinations.

“The Awards are a great way for Queenslanders to discover hidden treasures. The winners of Top Tourism Town are sure to become a new favourite getaway for families and holidaymakers.”

Last year, 35 towns were nominated for the Awards, with Tamborine Mountain, Airlie Beach, and Winton taking out Top Tourism Town, Top Small Tourism Town, and Top Tiny Tourism Town respectively.

State winners will go on to represent Queensland at the national awards held later in the year. Where they have the chance to be crowned one of Australia’s Top Tourism Towns or Australia’s Top Tour Guide.

Queensland’s three Top Tourism Towns and Top Tour Guide will be announced in June at an awards ceremony held in Brisbane.

With nominations now open and closing Monday 6th March, Queenslanders have two weeks to nominate their favourite town through the QTIC website at https://www.qtic.com.au/top-tourism-award/.

Image top: Jarramali rock art tours. Credit: Phil Warring/TEQ; image above: QTIC 2022 awards