While customer feedback for any business can be a double-edged sword, it's always nice to get positive comments, and in the last few months 8,658 positive comments for the region's businesses have flooded in.

These comments have taken the form of votes in the Port Douglas Magazine 2012 Douglas Business Awards which harnesses the sentiment of those that matter most, the consumer.

And with a record number of votes for a record number of businesses, the prestige associated with winning an award continues to grow.

Winners will be announced at the gala Awards night on 20 October at Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas - at which the 'who's who' of the Douglas business community will celebrate their combined and continued efforts in offering the very best products and services. 

Pictured: Bruno Bennett from Coral Sea Villas (left) and Wayne Stapleton from Lure Restaurant (right) help The Gusman celebrate his Hall of Fame induction in 2011.

A number of businesses have thrown their support behind the Awards with major sponsors Wine Divas, Staging Connections, 7 Local News, Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas (who will host the gala evening), and tourismportdouglas.com.au all seeing the benefit of the consumer-choice approach.

"It's great to be associated with such as successful industry," said Alan Crossman of Ray White Real Estate in Port Douglas who will sponsor the Restaurant category.

"Australians have become very sophisticated diners and I think it's why many people choose to come to Port Douglas to holiday.

"We think the Awards are a positive for local businesses when there has been so much negativity around," he said.

"I'll be trying to dine at all of the finalists restaurants before the Awards night."

For more information on the gala awards night call 4099 5122 or to purchase tickets visit the Try Booking website.

Major Sponsors:

Wine Divas
Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas
Seven Network (Limited)
Staging Connections
The Newsport
tourismportdouglas.com.au

Event Partners:
Ray White Port Douglas
Radio Port Douglas
Tropical Innovation Awards
Cairns Chamber of Commerce
Port Douglas Chamber of Commerce
Port Home Loans
Exemplar Coached & Limousines
Signature Staff
Tropica Entertainment
Uptown Rentals
Floral Edge