Categories & Criteria

Listed below are the categories and criteria for the 2008 Tropical North Queensland Tourism Awards.

To make submitting easier we have provided questions for each category in word format for you to download. Information regarding the entry process, criteria and relevant forms will also need to be downloaded and are available from the following links:

Nomination Form
Rules for Entry
Entry Form
AAA Tourism Star Rating Definitions
Statuatory Declaration

If you have any queries please email joannap@alistevents.com.au or phone 4031 6200

Category	Category Name	Category Outline
Category 1	Major Tourist Attraction	This category is for attractions which a) market primarily to a national and/or international audience and b) are considered a hallmark destination in their own right. They may be publicly or privately owned and can operate in conjunction with a natural attraction or on their own.
Category 2	Significant Tourist Attraction	This category is open to attractions of state/territory importance which a) market primarily to intrastate and/or interstate visitors and b) significantly contribute to the tourism experience within their metropolitan or country region. Attractions may be developed in conjunction with a natural attraction or on their own.
Category 3	Festivals & Events	This category is open to festivals or events that a) create substantial economic impact within the local community, b) attract visitors from intrastate and/or interstate, c) generate regional media profile, and d) positively promote the destination. They may be one-off or recurring.
Category 4	Ecotourism	This category aims to recognise ecologically sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas that foster environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation.
Category 5	Heritage, Cultural & Indigenous Tourism	This category aims to recognise tourism operations that foster a greater understanding of history, heritage and/or indigenous culture and traditions. Entrants should offer visitors an insight into Australia's history and heritage and its contemporary culture.
Category 6	Specialised Tourism Services	This category is open to specialised tourism services, retailers or facilities that enhance the visitor experience and integrate with other tourism products. Entry is open - but not limited to - service providers, shopping precincts, retailers of souvenirs, artefacts and art, boutique breweries, airports, computer information systems, member services, money exchange services, language and interpreter services.
Category 7	Visitor Information & Services	This category is open to Visitor Information Centres, Regional Tourist Associations and Regional Tourism Organisations to recognise their integrated focus on the provision of services to the visitor e.g. reservation service, information delivery. This category is not designed for specific marketing and promotion campaigns.
Category 8	Meeting & Business Tourism	This category is open - but not limited to - conference facilities, and other meetings industry operators service providers and suppliers who maximise the tourism experience for meetings and business travellers.
Category 9	Major Tour & Transport Operator	This category is open to tour and transport operators with 15 or more annual fulltime equivalent employees. It is not a transport award but does recognise a major contribution to tourism through the provision of tour guiding services and transport services. Entrants must offer a tourism experience as a significant part of their operation.
Category 10	Tour & Transport Operator	This category is open to tour and transport operators with fewer than 15 annual fulltime equivalent employees. It is not a transport award but does recognise a significant contribution to tourism through the provision of tour guiding services and transport services. Entrants must offer a tourism experience as a significant part of their operation.
Category 11	Adventure Tourism	This category is open to operators providing adventure tourism experiences that involve active customer participation. Examples could include - but are not limited to - rafting, ballooning, bushwalking, scuba diving, rock climbing, four-wheel driving, fishing, horse riding and abseiling.
Category 12	Tourism Marketing	This category recognises excellence in a particular tourism marketing activity that fosters a greater awareness of a region or product. This can include, but is not limited to, advertising or PR campaigns, publications, and trade/media/consumer events.
Category 13	Tourism Education & Training	This category is open to individual tourism businesses and tourism education and other registered training providers (RTOs) working to raise professional standards within the tourism industry by delivering tourism training including online.
Category 14	Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services	This category is open to all restaurants and catering services offering a tourism experience and/or servicing the tourism industry. It is not a food award but does recognise a significant contribution to tourism through the provision of food and beverage. Entry is open - but not limited to - hotel or stand-alone restaurants, event caterers, pubs and cafes.
Category 15	Tourism Wineries & Breweries	This category is open to all wineries and breweries, offering a tourism experience. It is not a wine / brewery award, but does recognise wineries and breweries making a significant contribution to tourism. Entry is open - but not limited to - wineries and breweries, offering cellar door sales, tastings or tours.
Category 16	Tourist & Caravan Parks	This category is open to all tourist and caravan parks offering a tourism experience. Entry is open - but not limited to - cabin, caravan and/or tenting accommodation providers.
Category 17	Hostel Accommodation	This category is open to accommodation providers primarily catering to backpackers. The focus of this award is on facilities and services that enhance the tourism experience.
Category 18	Hosted Accommodation	This category is open to owner/operator accommodation providers offering a high degree of personal contact with guests. Entry is open - but not limited to - bed & breakfast home stay, bed and breakfast farm stay, cottage or other intimate, boutique, colonial or heritage accommodation.
Category 19	Unique Accommodation	This category is open to properties developed around unconventional accommodation infrastructure. The focus of this award is on the way in which the nature of the accommodation, and services enhance the tourism experience. Entry is open - but not limited to - tented holidays, houseboats, tree houses, underground accommodation and yacht charters.
Category 20	Standard Accommodation	This category is open - but not limited to - motels, hotels, self-catering, cabins and pub accommodation. The focus of this award is on both the facilities and services that enhance the tourism experience.
Category 21	Deluxe Accommodation	This category is open - but not limited to - apartments, hotels, motels and self-catering accommodation. The focus of this award is on both the facilities and services that enhance the tourism experience.
Category 22	Luxury Accommodation	This category is open to - but not limited to - luxury hotels or resorts, with a focus on both the facilities and services that enhance the tourism experience.
Category 23	New Tourism Development	This category recognises excellence in the planning of tourism infrastructure and/or services with a focus on entrepreneurial vision, harmonious integration with the environment, design and functionality and uniqueness of the service.
Category 24	Young Acheivers Award	This award recognises an individual, less than 30 years of age, working in the tourism industry and their contribution to the development of a vibrant and professional tourism industry.