On Friday, 30 October, tourism and accommodation industry leaders from across Australia and New Zealand gathered at The Star Gold Coast for the fifth annual The Best of Tourism Awards. An evening spent celebrating the outstanding individuals, businesses and industry partners making a lasting impact across the sector.
Hosted by Resly and Women In, The Best of Tourism Awards Gala welcomed a record number of guests. This year’s theme, The Obsidian Ball: An Evening of Velvet and Vice, transformed The Star Gold Coast into a gothic-inspired haunted mansion. The experience began at a smoky graveyard entrance, where guests were welcomed by Lord Obsidian Vale and drawn into a night of theatrics, glamour and celebration.
Inside, the room came alive with live music, singers, dancers and performance art. After the awards presentation honoured this year’s winners, guests filled the dance floor and kept the celebrations going late into the night.
Five years on, the awards have become a fixture on the industry calendar, with this year’s gala the largest yet and a fitting celebration of the people and businesses driving tourism forward.
From emerging talent and visionary business leaders to innovative operators and dedicated community advocates, the 2026 awards highlighted the breadth of talent and achievement across the tourism and accommodation sector.
“It’s crazy to think this is our fifth year. When we first dreamt up The Best of Tourism Awards, it was just an idea: a way to bring together the industry we’ve come to know and love, and to properly celebrate the people doing incredible things in it. Standing in that room on Friday, surrounded by operators, partners and friends, I couldn’t quite believe how far it’s come. Every year it gets bigger and better, and watching the community grow around these awards has been incredibly rewarding. Our industry is full of talented, passionate people, and I’m really proud we get to play a part in celebrating them.” - Sam Steel, Co-Founder, Resly
Alongside celebrating industry achievement, the gala continued its commitment to supporting the wider community.
A portion of every ticket sold was directed to two beneficiary partners: The Tara Brown Foundation and the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH) WeCU Family Care Program.
Their inclusion reflects the awards' broader purpose of bringing the industry together not only to celebrate professional excellence, but also to make a positive contribution beyond the businesses and communities it serves.
To learn more about how you can support these foundations, please visit:
Tara Brown Foundation | Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
The 2026 awards recognised outstanding achievement across seven core categories, alongside the prestigious Legacy Honour award.
Sponsored by Resly
Recognising an emerging individual or business demonstrating strong performance, innovation and future potential.
Finalists: Chloe Young, Chontelle Stewart, Holiday Rental Specialists, MyStays NZ.
Sponsored by Switch Solutions
Celebrating an exceptional female leader who inspires others and makes a significant contribution to the industry.
Finalists: Sarah Clark, Monique Fitzgerald, Trudy Crooks, Gabrielle Daniels.
Sponsored by OPAT Group
Recognising individuals or businesses introducing creative solutions and forward-thinking approaches to the tourism and accommodation sector.
Finalists: Switch Solutions, Whizz, The Hill Apartments Currumbin, Evrystay.
Sponsored by RoomPriceGenie
Acknowledging individuals and businesses that champion collaboration, support industry peers and contribute to a stronger sector.
Finalists: Karla Haraldstad, Rebecca McCarthy, Mandy Clarke, Dan De Witte.
Sponsored by Protect Group
Honouring exceptional management, operational excellence and outstanding team leadership.
Finalists: Sharon White, James Avramides, Ellie Cotterill, Melissa Pearson.
Sponsored by Booking.com
Recognising individuals and businesses demonstrating a strong commitment to community, generosity and meaningful engagement across the sector.
Finalists: Larissa Broadbent, Moxxi Property, Clive Pickering, Kate Mano.
Sponsored by Airwallex
Celebrating a business demonstrating exceptional growth, operational excellence and a meaningful impact on the tourism and accommodation industry.
Finalists: Beach Houses of Byron Bay, Belmo Group, Coffs Coast Accommodation, Coastal Letting Group.
The Legacy Honour Award recognises an individual whose sustained leadership, dedication and contribution have helped shape Australia's tourism and accommodation sector.
The honour acknowledges a legacy of industry impact and celebrates the people whose commitment and influence extend well beyond their own businesses.
The Best of Tourism Awards 2026 was made possible through the support of its sponsors, partners and event collaborators, whose commitment helps bring the industry together to recognise excellence and celebrate achievement.
2026 sponsors and partners: OPAT Group, Switch Solutions, Airwallex, RoomPriceGenie, Protect Group, Booking.com, PriceLabs, Beyond, Good to Book, STRIVE to Thrive, Resly, Resort News, Event Society and novasoma photography.
On behalf of The Best of Tourism Awards, we would like to extend our thanks to all sponsors, finalists, winners, attendees and industry supporters who contributed to making the fifth annual awards a memorable celebration of the sector.
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