Record numbers for Douglas Business Awards
Record numbers for 2014 Douglas Business Awards
Tuesday December 2 2014, 1:55pm
The 2014 Port Douglas Business Awards are shaping up to be the biggest yet, with more than 38,000 votes cast for businesses across the Douglas Shire.
Newsport Publishing, which manages the awards in association with Mackay Sugar, has received a record 38,468 customer votes for 1171 nominations across 45 categories of businesses, including tour operators, restaurants and accommodation.
Customers and clients from 26 countries have voted, showing the international exposure received by Douglas Shire.
More than 200 people are expected at the Gala Awards Night at Sheraton Port Douglas on Friday night.
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See Awards evening Photo Gallery from 2012
See Awards evening Photo Gallery from 2013
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Roy Weavers from Newsport said the increased activity in the Business Awards was a result of the ‘positivity of what’s going on in Douglas Shire’.
“The Awards were created at a time when we were just turning from a bad decade - we felt we should give the community something to aspire to.
“Everyone wants to be a winner because it’s the actual clients and customers that vote for each business.”
Martin Tranter from the Port Douglas Chamber of Commerce said the awards were a way for the community to recognise the work put in by business operators in the region.
“The Awards are a great recognition of the efforts and endeavours that business operators put into their businesses over 12 months,” Mr Tranter said.
“It also shows how businesses continue to improve through competition in the key areas of customer service and innovation.
“Lastly it’s a chance for everyone to take ourselves slightly less seriously for a night and have a laugh at the week that was.”
Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours in Cape Tribulation is a finalist in the Best Tourism Attraction category this year, with managing director Sheena Walshaw saying winning the award would definitely be a feather in the cap for the business.
“It’s always fantastic to have recognition from the from the public,” Ms Walshaw said.
“In times like this, word of mouth and industry awards are more important than ever - and who wouldn’t want to be voted the Best Tourist Attraction in the region?”