Tourism identity Wendy Morris, and the daughter of ‘Mr Port Douglas”, John Morris, has secured another milestone by being appointed a Life Member of Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ).

She was recognised at the recent 2021 Simon George & Sons TNQ Tourism Industry Excellence Awards at Rainforestation Nature Park in Kuranda.

Ms Morris is the immediate past Chair of TTNQ and chaired Tourism Port Douglas Daintree. She has served on many boards including Tourism Queensland, Advance Cairns and is currently a Board Director of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

She founded Reef Biosearch, the first company to employ marine biologists on the Great Barrier Reef to educate visitors. She has held management roles with Quicksilver Connections, Reef Terraces, Radisson Resorts, Wetherby Station, and Rainforest Habitat.

TTNQ chair Ken Chapman said the awards celebrate industry excellence and innovation by acknowledging the people and businesses at the forefront of tourism in the region.

“After a tough 18 months it has never been more important for our industry to gather together to celebrate our achievements and belief that our resilience will see Tropical North Queensland tourism emerge stronger than ever,” he said.

The following were recognised:

• Life Members – Stephen Gregg and Wendy Morris
• Chair’s Award for Excellence – Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF)
• Outstanding Contribution by an Individual – James Dixon
• Year of Indigenous Tourism Award – Juan Walker, Walkabout Cultural Adventures
• Runner-up - Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel
• Young Achiever Excellence Award – Weiqing Jacky Ni
• Runner-up - Cheyenne Sadler
• Customer Service Excellence Award – Shanice Dale
• Runner-up - Eddie Loi
• Best of Queensland Experience Excellence Award – Back Country Bliss Adventures