Queensland wins big at 2020 Tripadvisor ‘Travellers' Choice Best of the Best’ awards
News
By Jemma Fletcher
Every year, experience review website Tripadvisor pulls together customer reviews and ratings from travellers across the globe to shine a spotlight on the very best tourism operators.
In this year’s ‘Travellers' Choice Best of the Best’ awards, Queensland celebrates awards in a number of categories, putting the Sunshine State front and centre in travellers’ minds.
Down Under Cruise and Dive, Cairns
Cairns local tour operator Down Under Cruise and Dive has been recognised as one of the world's best tourism experiences in two separate categories.
In the ‘World’s Best Day Cruise’ category, the Great Barrier Reef operator was listed at number five in the top 10, alongside the Niagara Falls cruise, London Eye River Cruise, Budapest Danube River evening cruise, and a Classic Mekong Delta tour in Vietnam.
Down Under Cruise and Dive also took home a second award in ‘Australia’s Top Experiences’ category, listing at number four in the top 10.
“This award is a reflection of the amazing professionalism and passion of our whole team of staff and crew who provide world-class service to our guests every day onboard Evolution," said owner and managing director Peppi Lovannella.
"A big thank you to and all our amazing guests who have taken the time to write a review of their experience with Down Under Cruise and Dive and our Full Day Outer Great Barrier Reef Tour."
Bli Bli House Riverside Retreat and The Falls Montville, Sunshine Coast
Photo by Bli Bli House Riverside Retreat
Bringing a little more love to Queensland is Bli Bli House Riverside Retreat, which took first place in the ‘Top Hotels for Romance — World’ category.
If you need another reason to schedule your next romantic getaway on the Sunshine Coast, The Falls Montville was also awarded at fourth place in the same category.
While their attraction for romance is a clear winner, both accommodation providers also won first and second place in the ‘Best Small Hotels’ category in Australia.
To top off this accumulation of awards, The Falls Montville was also awarded second in Australia in the ‘Best Service’ category for Australia.
“These awards recognise the diversity of offerings we have here on the Sunshine Coast, and provide a great endorsement to inspire future travellers to start planning their ultimate Sunshine Coast escape,” said Sunshine Coast Interim CEO Craig Davidson.
If you’re feeling inspired, here’s how to spend the ultimate long weekend on the Sunshine Coast.
Qantas Founders Museum, Longreach
Qantas Founders Museum has been recognised as one of the top 10% attractions worldwide in the 2020 Travellers’ Choice awards.
Based on a full year of Tripadvisor reviews, award winners are known for consistently receiving great traveller feedback, placing them in the top 10% of hospitality businesses around the globe.
“Qantas Founders Museum is thrilled to be a Travellers’ Choice Award Winner and be recognised as one of the top 10% attractions worldwide,” said Qantas Founders Museum CEO Tony Martin.
“Our Museum is committed to telling the incredible history of Qantas in new and exciting ways that our guests will enjoy and remember”.
Ocean Free & Ocean Freedom, Cairns
Photo by Ocean Free and Ocean Freedom via Facebook
Cairns premier reef and island tours operator, Ocean Free and Ocean Freedom, has been placed in the top 10% of tourism businesses around the globe for consistently receiving great traveller feedback in 2020.
Owned and operated by husband and wife team Perry Jones and Taryn Agius, their business was born from a desire to give travellers the best and most personal, customer-oriented reef experience possible, while ensuring a high respect for safety.
Whitsunday Jetski Tours, and Ocean Rafting, The Whitsundays
Two of The Whitsundays’ most popular tour operators, Whitsunday Jetski Tours and Ocean Rafting, have been recognised as 2020 Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best award winners for the Top 10 Experiences in Australia, ranking 6th and 7th respectively.
As the only Whitsunday operators, and of only four in Queensland, this accolade means that not only are they in the Top 10 Experiences in Australia, based on a full year of exceptional Tripadvisor reviews (prior to any changes caused by the pandemic), but they’re also ranked in the top 1% of tourism businesses around the world as travellers’ ultimate favourites.
Even though both companies are local adventure tour operators, they have worked successfully together throughout the years, striving to support each other in both business and friendship, creating a great dynamic and positive example for achieving success in a small regional tourism-based community.
