Carly Volke, Sarah Sweeny, Renae Kunda, Deanne Bowd and Laura Russell from Cape York Motorcycle Adventures celebrate their Queensland Tourism Award silver in the Adventure Tourism category. Photo: Supplied.
A Cape York business says it is revving up to eye for gold next year to complete an impressive tourism trifecta after claiming silver in the Adventure Tourism category of the 2024 Queensland Tourism Awards on 15 November.
The Cape York Motorcycle Adventures team celebrated their second award in as many years at the gala event in Brisbane after taking home bronze in the same category last year.
“We won bronze the year before, so I had hope that we would at least do the same thing again, but it’s always good to get an upgrade,” company founder Renae Kunda said.
“We were all super excited afterwards; when you get that trophy in your hands, there’s just something special about it and it’s a real honour.
“The plan is to go for gold next year and get the trilogy.”
Ms Kunda plans to go for gold next year and collect the award trifecta. Photo: Supplied.
As a leader of the motorcycle tourism industry since 1990, Ms Kunda said the eco-certified business provided an unforgettable journey from Cairns to the tip of Cape York for the most daring of adventurers.
“I think the award lets our customers know that we really care about their experience,” she said.
“I enter the awards to be judged and find out what things I should be doing to have a good company, so it’s kind of my commitment to improve every year.
“I think our customers appreciate that – it shows that we are trying to improve, and that we are being judged and rewarded for the work that we do, so it definitely gives us credibility.”
Ms Kunda said it was inspiring to be surrounded by like-minded people in the business cheering each other on, adding she was already working on ideas to further improve the customer experience.
“I was just enjoying the night and the company, and there was such a buzz in the room that each individual award wasn’t really a main focus; award ceremonies can be a bit like going to the principal’s office sometimes, but this is the tourism industry, so everyone was just having a great time,” she said.
“That’s the beauty of the awards – it points you in the right direction.
“You’re always developing ideas, and I’m not going to say what they are yet, but they’re already in practice so we’ll definitely be putting those in the submission for next year.”
Cape York Peninsula Lodge also impressed the judges and won gold in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism category and a silver for 4-4.5 Star Accommodation, but did not respond to an interview request from Cape York Weekly.
Cape York Peninsula Lodge claimed Cape York’s second win at the awards by claiming gold in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism category. Photo: Supplied.
