The Bundaberg Region has been announced as a finalist in Queensland’s Top Tourism Town awards, with 37 towns in the running from across the state.
The Awards are hosted by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council to recognise and celebrate towns that offer an amazing visitor experience.
Winners are decided by the community with online voting for the Top Tourism Town now open.
A video entry highlighting the region was submitted to the awards by Bundaberg Tourism, showcasing the “place that the turtles call home and where the Southern Great Barrier Reef is just a stone throw away.”
Bundaberg Toursim CEO Katherine Reid said the video entry was a whole team effort and highlighted every thing and every person that made the region special.
“Nominations were accepted from accredited Visitor Information Centres and our entire team got behind putting together this entry submission, with a strong focus on the people and places that make the Bundaberg Region a Top Tourism Town,” she said.
“We all know that the Bundaberg Region is a Top Tourism Town, with our passionate tourism and hospitality industry and welcoming locals talking about our experiences everyday…and now we need everyone to get behind our entry to ensure all of Queensland knows that the Bundaberg Region is a Top Tourism Town too.”
Mayor Jack Dempsey said he was delighted that the region had been announced as a finalist in the Top Tourism Town Awards.
“What a fantastic initiative to get beautiful Bundaberg on the map, showcasing all of the great places and faces that make up our wonderful region,” he said.
“From our idyllic beaches, great diving experiences, friendly turtle residents and the multitude of fantastic businesses that keep our community thriving, there is definitely something for everyone to enjoy in the Bundaberg Region.
“Congratulations to Bundaberg Tourism for putting together a wonderful video entry highlighting what makes our town a great place to live and visit.”
QTIC Chief Executive Daniel Gschwind said the awards showcased the great and diverse destinations on offer in Queensland.
“With the current focus on domestic tourism, now is the time to draw attention to our regional destinations and to put the spotlight on our tourism operators and communities who keep our regions thriving,” he said.
“We are thrilled with the response from towns from across Queensland who have entered the Awards with 37 fantastic nominations.”
Vote for Bundaberg to win Top Tourism Town
The winners of the awards will now be decided by the public with voting open from 11 to 26 April.
Individuals can cast their vote for their favourite tourism town and go into the running to win a $2000 Apollo Motorhome travel package.
Ms Reid said it was up to the residents and visitors of Bundaberg to show just how much they loved the region by voting.
“With 70% of the judging weighting on the public voting, we need everyone to get behind this,” she said.
“Everyone from Council, businesses and our local community to come together to vote, to encourage your friends and family to vote, to promote voting through businesses, schools and community organisations.
“It will take everyone’s collective efforts to bring this award home for the Bundaberg Region.”
To vote, go to the Queensland Tourism Industry Council website here.
The winner of the Top Tourism Town Award (population over 5000) will receive a $25,000 Strategic Consulting and Capacity Building Package provided by EarthCheck and the winner of the Top Small Tourism Town Award (population below 5000) will receive a $7,500 Tourism Consultancy and Development Package provided by The Tourism Group.
Large Top Tourism Towns:
- Bowen
- Bribie
- Bundaberg
- Ipswich
- Mareeba
- Maryborough
- Noosa
- Redcliffe
- Redlands
- Rockhampton
- Stanthorpe
- Tambourine Mountain
- Townsville
- Warwick
- Yeppoon
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