The 2013 Douglas Business Awards is set to be the most competitive ever, with more than 29,000 votes submitted over the past year and single digits separating finalists.

Top gun attitudes are alive and well among finalists, all seeking top honours in the region’s only customer-voted awards program celebrating excellence in local business.

Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas again plays host this year, though guests will enjoy Friday’s gala event at the luxury resort’s Glade Pavilion.

“It will be our biggest and best ceremony yet,” said Newsport Publishing’s Roy Weavers.

“We were impressed with last year’s 10,800 votes, and although we were expecting more this year, to have triple the votes is just incredible!”

Mr Weavers described the voting boost as a testament to the revitalisation and rediscovery of Douglas as a key tourism, agriculture, and business destination.

“With the newly elected Douglas Shire Council commencing on January 1 next year, 2013 finalists and winners will set the standard for the years ahead.

“After a phenomenal tourism season and Mossman Mill’s biggest cane crop and crushing season in nine years, the business community is looking forward to celebrating!”

He said ticket sales spiked after category finalists were announced last week.

“It’s a chance for local businesses to be recognised and rewarded by their peers. It’s not enough to deliver excellent service once; Friday’s winners have done it over and over again, and then inspired their customers or guests to vote.

“People have phoned The Newsport or come in to the office saying ‘I didn’t want to miss out on being there!’ But, it’s important to remember that we do only have a limited number of tickets - once they’re gone, they’re gone!”

Tickets are available online here. For any online booking problems, phone The Newsport on 07 4099-5122.

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The finalists are...

BEST REEF TOUR (from 22 nominations)

• Poseidon  Reef Charters
• Calypso Reef Charters
• Quicksilver
• Sailaway
• Wavelength

BEST RAINFOREST TOUR (from 42 nominations)

• Tony’s Tropical Tours
• Daintree Discovery Tours
• Daintree Specialised Tours
• Mossman Gorge Dreamtime Walking Tours
• Daintree Wonder Tours

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BEST TOURIST ATTRACTION (from 35 nominations)

• The Mossman Gorge
• Haunting of Oak Beach
• Lady Douglas
• Wildlife Habitat
• Flames of the Forest

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BEST TOUR GUIDE (from 95 nominations)

• Kevin Eldridge, Kstar Walking Tours
• Tony Burke from Tony’s Tropical Tours
• Peter Bexendale from Daintree Specialised Tours
• Dave Mainwaring from Daintree Wonder Tours
• Adrian from Tony’s Tropical Tours

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BEST TRANSPORT/AIRPORT TRANSFER (from 17 nominations)

• Exemplar Coaches
• Sun Palm Transport
• Krystal Transport
• Coral Reef Coaches
• BTS

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BEST PRIVATE CRUISE CHARTER (from 19 nominations)

• Galaxy I
• Lady Douglas
• Aquarius
• Phantom Charters
• Sailaway

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BEST FISHING CHARTER (from 18 nominations)

• Dragon Lady
• Trinity Sport Fishing
• Norseman
• Out n About
• Reel Chase

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BEST ECO-FRIENDLY TOUR OPERATOR (from 55 nominations)

• Tony’s Tropical Tours
• Lady Douglas
• Mossman Gorge
• Kstar Walking tours
• Sailaway

BEST BOUTIQUE ACCOMMODATION (from 51 nominations)

• A Tropical Nite
• Verandahs
• Martinique on Macrossan
• Macrossan House Boutique Apartments
• Peninsula Hotel

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BEST HOTEL/RESORT ACCOMMODATION (from 49 nominations)

• Freestyle Apartments
• Peppers Beach Club
• QT Port Douglas
• Mantra Aqueous on Port
• Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas

BEST LUXURY ACCOMMODATION (from 35 nominations)

• Peppers Beach Club
• QT Resort
• Saltwater Apartments
• Coconut Grove
• Sea Temple and Spa

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BEST HOLIDAY LETTING AGENTS (from 16 nominations)

• Ulysses Getaways
• Executive Retreats
• Port Douglas Getaways
• Port Douglas Accommodation
• The Boutique Collection

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BEST LOW COST ACCOMMODATION (from 51 nominations)

• Port O' Call
• Port Douglas Motel
• Parrotfish Lodge
• Dougies Backpackers
• Glengarry Caravan Park

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BEST INDIVIDUAL ACCOM. PROPERTY (from 63 nominations)

• Coconut Grove
• Mai Tai
• Executive Retreats
• Niramaya Resort and Spa
• Daintree Secrets

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BEST FASHION RETAILER (from 46 nominations)

• Jungle Road
• Australian Outback Club
• Tshinta Swimwear
• Attitudes Boutique
• Barbarella and Swan

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BEST GIFTWARE RETAILER (from 43 nominations)

• Imagine
• Australian Outback Club
• Pebble
• Fun Stuff by Linda
• Wicked Willies

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BEST FOOD STORE (from 25 nominations)

• Blood Orange
• Coles Supermarket
• IGA
• Foodworks
• Taste on Macrossan

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BEST OVERALL FRIENDLY RETAIL SERVICE (from 70 nominations)

• Coles Supermarket
• Jungle Road
• Floral Edge
• Australian Outback Club
• Whileaway Book and Coffee Shop

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BEST WEDDING/EVENT ORGANISER (from 35 nominations)

• Peppers Beach Club
• Port Douglas Catering and Events
• Port Douglas Weddings
• Mermaids Wave
• Wedding Divas

BEST WEDDING/EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER (from 37 nominations)

• Catseye Photography
• Rob Cooke
• Sass Studios
• Shaun Guest
• Oak Beach Photography (Jai Miller)

BEST WEDDING CELEBRANT (from 28 nominations)

• Rosina Santarossa
• Sarah Woods
• Natasha Kollosche
• Ross Simmons
• Stephanie Milne

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BEST SPA EXPERIENCE (from 24 nominations)

• Sunbird Day Spa
• Wellness@Port
• Sea Temple Spas
• Peppers Exclusive Spas
• Hibiscus Gardens Day Spa

BEST MASSEUR/MASSEUSE (from 67 nominations)

• Janina Wellness@Port
• Alice Cattenoz (Wellness@Port)
• Cathy Taylor (Peppers)
• Gaelle Vidal Sunbird Centre
• Gemma Wellness@Port

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BEST BEAUTY THERAPIST (from 51 nominations)

• Clotilde Lachat-Monney (Peppers)
• Janina – Wellness@Port
• Cathy Taylor (Peppers)
• Skin Scene
• Gaelle Vidal (Wellness@Port)

BEST HEALTH TREATMENT EXPERIENCE (from 21 nominations)

• Peppers Exclusive Spas
• Wellness@Port
• Skin Scene
• Sunbird Centre
• Pure Massage, Mossman

BEST HAIR & MAKE UP (from 18 nominations)

• Studio Y
• Salon Z
• Mermaids Wave
• Hair by Julia
• Keith the Barber

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BEST LIVE ENTERTAINER (from 40 nominations)

• Kevin 'Kstar' Eldridge- Weekly Trivia challenge
• Tropical North Theatre Company
• Timber and Wood
• The Gusman
• Troy Stevens (The Saxman)

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BEST LIVE ENTERTAINMENT VENUE (from 22 nominations)

• The Clink Theatre
• Dougies Backpackers
• The Central Hotel
• The Court House Hotel
• Haunting of Oak Beach

BEST ANNUAL LOCAL EVENT (pa) (from 37 nominations)

• Port Douglas Carnivale
• One Act Plays (Tropical North Theatre Company)
• Great Barrier Reef Marathon Festival
• The Haunting of Oak Beach
• Sunset in the Park

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BEST ANNUAL LOCAL EVENT (daily/weekly/monthly) (from 37 nominations)

• Port Douglas Sunday Markets
• Cane Toad Racing
• Open Mic Musos Night at Parrotfish Lodage
• Mossman Community Markets
• KStar Trivia

BEST REAL ESTATE SALES AGENT - Individual (from 31 nominations)

• David Cotton
• Caroline Yarr
• Travis Schumacher
• Grant Law
• Mark Flinn

BEST REAL ESTATE SALES AGENCY - Company (from 9 nominations)

• Ray White
• LJ Hooker
• Century 21
• Raine and Horne
• Tony McGrath

BEST REAL ESTATE RENTAL PROPERTY AGENT - Individual (from 28 nominations)

• Alicia Rowe
• Caroline Yarr
• Jocelyn Schumacher
• Narelle Johnson
• Monica Cartwright

BEST REAL ESTATE SALES AGENCY - Company (from 11 nominations)

• Ray White
• LJ Hooker
• Century 21
• Raine and Horne
• Vista Realty

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BEST TRADESMAN (from 92 nominations)

• Peter Murphy
• Geoff Ward
• Sy Dolphin
• Blake Henning
• Clayton 'Ditch' Vladich

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BEST TRADE BUSINESS - Company (from 69 nominations)

• Papillon Landscapes
• BHE (Hennings Electrics)
• H2O warehouse
• Zammataro Plumbing
• TNQ

BEST TRADE SUPPLIER (from 17 nominations)

• Mossman Hardware
• Reece Plumbing
• H2O Warehouse
• Zammataro Plumbing
• Port Douglas Pool Shop

BEST PROFESSIONAL SERVICE PRACTITIONER - Individual (from 39 nominations)

• Dr Mark Colbridge
• Dr Steve Saleras
• Dr John Archer
• Martin Tranter
• Dr Liz Stringer

BEST PROFESSIONAL SERVICE PRACTICE - Company (from 39 nominations)

• Port Village Medical Centre
• Far North Training Centre
• New Horizons Medical centre
• Down Under on Line
• H&R Block Accountants

BEST TAKEAWAY (from 60 nominations)

• Four Mile Fish and Chip Shop
• Daves Takeaway Chicken
• The Little Larder
• Underwraps
• Rattle n Hum

BEST BREAKFAST (from 45 nominations)

• Café Fresq
• Hi Tide Cafe, Bar and Restaurant
• Junction Cafe, Mossman
• The Little Larder
• QT Bazaar

BEST COFFEE (from 53 nominations)

• The Coffee Club
• Origin Espresso
• Whileaway Book and Coffee Shop
• The Little Larder
• Junction Cafe

BEST FRIENDLY RESTAURANT SERVICE (from 76 nomination)

• Salsa Bar & Grill
• Whileaway Book Shop and Coffee Shop
• Zinc Restaurant and Bar
• The Little Larder
• The Jade Inn

BEST RESTAURANT (from 64 nominations)

• Salsa Bar & Grill
• Zinc Bar & Grill
• Nautilus Restaurant
• Harrisons Restaurant
• Buccini