Tourism powerhouse
Coral Sea Marina Resort was awarded Whitsunday Business of the Year at the 2024 Whitsunday Tourism Awards.
27 October 2024
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The 2024 Award for Whitsunday Business of the Year acknowledges Coral Sea Marina Resort’s commitment to providing exceptional customer service and a premium travel experience for visitors.
Marina CEO, Kate Purdie and Resort GM, Dawn Romanella collected the award on behalf of the Coral Sea Marina Resort (CSMR) team of over 100 employees, many of whom attended the event to celebrate the achievement.
CSMR owner, Paul Darrouzet, was also honoured on the night being awarded the coveted Bob Porter Award for Outstanding Service to Tourism. This award is given annually to a tourism leader whose contributions to the Whitsunday Tourism industry have been significant and long lasting.
The Whitsundays Tourism Awards were held at Daydream Island Resort, celebrating exceptional talent in our tourism industry. Over 360 guests attended the event, sponsored by Bishopp Advertising.
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This year’s awards featured a vibrant networking party atmosphere, with live entertainment, delicious food, and dancing late into the night, highlighting the industry’s outstanding contributions.
The celebration applauded both individual and collective achievements, recognising new businesses alongside familiar names that continue to shine. It was a fitting tribute to the region’s resilience and innovation.
Aimee Cameron, Interim CEO of Tourism Whitsundays, expressed her excitement about the event. “We’ve really been looking forward to tonight and celebrating the successes of our incredible Whitsundays tourism industry.
“This year, we are particularly proud to welcome 11 entrants into the Hall of Fame, a testament to the hard work and dedication within our sector.
“None of this would be possible though without the support of our incredible and generous sponsors. I’d like to personally thank Bishopp Advertising and our platinum sponsors Airlie Beach Hotel, Daydream Island and Cruise Whitsundays.”
Julie Telford, Chair of the Board at Tourism Whitsundays, echoed this sentiment. “I want to congratulate everyone in the industry for their achievements tonight. The success of these awards showcases the hard work and dedication of the tourism sector in The Whitsundays. Tonight is a celebration of their passion for the tourism industry, and it’s also a wonderful recognition of their staff. It’s inspiring to see how many new operators and members have nominated this year.
“Equally, the incredible team at TW plays a crucial role in this success. Despite being small, they consistently go above and beyond for every member, making a significant impact on our community and the tourism sector as a whole. I am genuinely excited to witness their continued success and growth in the coming twelve months.”
Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins said tourism is the heartbeat of the Whitsundays thanks to the resilience of our stakeholders and their ability to adapt, innovate, and deliver unforgettable experiences time and again.
“In Council’s budget for 2024-25 we increased our funding to Tourism Whitsundays from $720,000 to $1 million to ensure we continue driving visitation, creating jobs, and building a resilient, thriving economy,” he said.
“I want to congratulate every individual, business, and team here tonight. The record visitation numbers we’ve seen, and the increase in visitor expenditure, are proof of your incredible efforts. The Whitsundays continues to shine as a world-class destination, and it’s because of your hard work and passion.”
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