Federal Member for Leichhardt says Far North Queensland is being seen as the state's tourism torchbearer after the region received eight gold, eight silver and five bronze gongs at the Queensland Tourism Awards on Friday.

Mr Entsch, who attended the awards in Brisbane, said additional congratulations should go to the Mossman and Daintree area after the Mossman Gorge Centre and Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours were recognised with Gold Awards in the categories of Indigenous Tourism and Adventure Tourism respectively. 

“These awards have highlighted how the Mossman and Daintree region has really come-of-age in a spectacular way, and is becoming just as attractive to tourists as more established regions such as the Whitsundays, Noosa and Brisbane,” Mr Entsch commented.

The awards came on the back of the Tropical North Queensland Tourism Awards on Friday 21 November, which saw recognition for local tourism operators for their exceptional product and service delivery.

Out of the 30 awards, a number of Mossman/Daintree operators were recognised – including Mossman Gorge Centre, Jungle Surfing, Ocean Safari, Tourism Port Douglas Daintree, Sailaway V and the Bloomfield Lodge, which received ‘Hall of Fame’ status.

“It’s a testament to the standard of our tourism products that Far North Queensland businesses are seen as setting the benchmark for quality – and being publicly recognised and rewarded for it,” said Mr Entsch.

“We really punch well above our weight across the whole spectrum.

“I congratulate every local company that was recognised at these two award presentations, and encourage every tourism business in the region – whether they were nominated or not – to continue to make Far North Queensland into one of Australia’s best tourism destinations.”