Just a week after the 2013 Douglas Business Awards, some of the region's top tourism providers were named the best in the industry at the 15th annual Tropical North Queensland Tourism Awards on November 29.

More than 320 people gathered at the Pullman Cairns International to celebrate a year of outstanding success and pay tribute to the 28 category winners.

Among them, Port Douglas-based Exemplar Coaches won for Tour and/or Transport Operator, Mossman Gorge Centre for the Indigenous Tourism, Kuranda Visitor Information Centre for Visitor Information and Services, and Daintree Discovery Centre for Sustainable Tourism and Ecotourism.

Exemplar Coaches co-owner Cheryl Wellham was delighted with their win, after entering for the first time this year. When Exemplar was named a category finalist in early October, Ms Wellham told The Newsport, "We would like to publicly acknowledge our team for all their hard work with their attention to detail and customer service over the years."

"We cannot speak too highly of their efforts, and Exemplar would not be in this position if it had not been for their support and dedication to our visitors’ experience."

Exemplar also won Best Transport/Airport Transfer at the 2013 Douglas Business Awards on November 22, and the company will continue celebrating this week, with daughter Katie's wedding on December 5 in Port Douglas. 

Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) Chief Executive Officer Rob Giason said the awards had attracted a record number of 50 entries and the event sold out early, showing the tourism industry was in the mood for celebrating after enjoying solid growth for the past 18 months.

"Our Christmas theme has proved appropriate as this is one of the most festive tourism awards we have had for some years thanks to the optimism in our industry," he said.

"Tropical North Queensland is driving international tourism growth in Australia, so we have much to celebrate and I especially acknowledge the outstanding businesses and individuals receiving awards tonight for setting such high standards in our $7 million-a-day industry."

"The passion and commitment to tourism in this region is very strong and especially evident when the industry comes together to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the local businesses and individuals at these awards," said Tourism Tropical North Chairman Stephen Gregg.

"Tropical North Queensland's success in becoming the number one regional holiday destination in Australia for international holiday visitors has been helped by the support of a great network of industry partners and I thank you all for your commitment to our destination."

Among the other winners:

• Unique Accommodation: Bloomfield Lodge, Daintree Rainforest
• Standard Accommodation: Villa Marine Holiday Apartments, Yorkeys Knob
• Excellence in Food Tourism: Skybury Coffee, Mareeba
• Chairman’s Award for Excellence: Don and Judy Freeman, Kuranda
• Outstanding Contribution by an Individual: Mark Evans, Paronella Park