We’re going to need a bigger trophy shelf!
Five times Whitsunday Tourism Award winners
Whitsunday Escape has been awarded the 2015 Whitsunday Tourism Award for Self-Contained Accommodation at a 70s disco themed gala event this month.
This award marks the fifth time Whitsunday Escape has been awarded a Winner’s trophy at the local tourism awards since 2010.
“In February 2014, we won the highest of all honours, the Australian Tourism Award for Unique Accommodation. This capped off an outstanding year for us, having won both the Queensland and Whitsunday Tourism Awards prior to the national award.” Reservations Manager, Alita De Brincat said.
“To this day we are still the only bareboat operator to be recognised with either a state or national Tourism Award.” Alita said.
“While the rest of the team was celebrating the Award for Self-Contained Accommodation already, a handful of us knew there was another surprise to come: the final highlight of the night was witnessing Managing Director, Trevor Rees, take the stage, in his purple and green disco costume no less, to accept the Bob Porter Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual.” Alita said.
A secretive campaign from key members of staff, saw to it that the award was a genuine surprise on the night for hard-working Trevor.
Having joined the business as an employee in 1988, and bought into the partnership in 1999, Trevor has dedicated almost half his life to Whitsunday Escape.
Whitsunday Escape grew from humble beginnings to the largest individual company in the largest bareboat fleet in the southern hemisphere. The business thrives with three partners, three managers on site, 30 boat owner investors, and 25 staff working across all facets of the business.
A ‘big picture’ thinker, Trevor has always dedicated himself to the success of the local tourism industry and the health of the natural environment upon which so many businesses depend.
He has been honoured with leadership roles such as member of the Tourism Strategic Advisory Group (TSAG) for Whitsundays Marketing and Development (WMDL), President of the Whitsunday Bareboat Operators Association (WBOA), member of the Local Marine Advisory Committee, and founding member and Vice President of the marine tourism group Business United for Reef Protection (BURP).
His contribution to the industry and the region has included achievements such as fighting against inappropriate dredge spoil dumping resulting from port expansion plans, assisting in gaining increased flights to the region, campaigning against unsafe boating legislation changes, and much more.
“The honour of the Award for Contribution by an Individual couldn’t have gone to a more deserving person and the Whitsunday Escape team are very proud to have such a strong leader. “ Alita said.