As the 2015 Douglas Business & Tourism Awards draws near, voting numbers are up and tickets sales have an early surge.

The aim of the Douglas Business & Tourism Awards is to showcase the very best in service and product delivery in the Douglas Shire.

Newsport Publishing managing director Sam Cullen said “voting is up on last year by 30%. With around 20,000 votes being collected already. Online voting has become far more popular for visitors to acknowledge or appraise great customer service and product quality. 

“It's simple and easy for customers to find our ONLINE VOTING and businesses are now making the link available via their websites or simply emailing their guests post visit as part of their customer service and feedback follow ups. 

“The gala event has proven extremely popular over the years and last year we sold out of tickets so their has been an early surge on tables of ten. We have about 80 pre sold tickets booked before tickets went on sale online today.

Tickets to the Gala Awards presentation evening are on sale now via Trybooking tickets: TICKET SALES

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• Douglas Business & Tourism Awards: The Party

• Full Results: Douglas Business & Tourism Awards 2014

“Getting catering right for a Gala evening like this is paramount so we close tickets off earlier to ensure this. This year we have an early bird ticket special that puts ticket holders into a draw to win 5 NIGHTS including breakfast in a newly refurbished Sheraton Mirage luxury suite worth over $3,000

“This year we are promoting make a Weekend Away with special local accommodation and breakfast rates offered by Sheraton to bring people together the next day at the resort. In previous years there has been a growing number of people not wanting to transfer themselves home after the awards by staying in house at Sheraton. The next morning and day has become another great experience with everyone meeting up around the pool and catching up on the night before. 

“We are very impressed by how businesses leverage their past wins or finalist results. Walking through town or browsing websites and seeing previous winners showcasing their Awards is fantastic and when you ask them - it works,” says Mr Cullen.

As a 2014 award recipient, QT Resorts PR & Events Co-Ordinator Sharon Timms discusses with Newsport the significance of the Business & Tourism Awards.

“QT was lucky enough to win 2014 Best Resort Accommodation over 40 rooms.  We’ve also been previous finalists in Best Breakfast.

“Our Best Accommodation Award has been hung in the administration office - a gentle reminder to all our staff that striving for excellence is why we’re all here.

“Our Certificate as Best Breakfast Finalists has been hung in Bazaar where all our guests can see.  Again, we believe in positive reinforcement for our staff - it’s great to know our work is recognised.

“At the very core of being in the hospitality and tourism industry is the act of being hospitable. By having these awards voted and submitted by our patrons means that we’re doing it right” 

“We do post awards through our social media channels and on our blog QT Life.  This means that our interstate guests, especially those who voted, know that their voices were heard,” said Ms Timms.

Your votes can be registered either online or by completing a voting form. Voting closes Tuesday 3rd November at 4pm.

<link douglas-business-tourism-awards-entry.4348.0.html>ONLINE VOTING