The Adventure Tourism Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of tourism businesses that service the backpacker, youth and adventure travel sector across Australia and New Zealand.

We’re pleased to announce the addition of four new awards in 2019, including the Cultural Tourism Award for Australia and New Zealand.

There are 35 Awards in total across the following categories:

Best Online Travel Agent

  • This award recognises businesses operating an online retail travel store who sell predominately Youth/Adventure product within Australia & New Zealand.

Best Youth/Adventure marketed destination (Aus/Nz)

  • This award recognises a destination that has made a significant impact within the youth tourism industry in the last 12 months. This impact may include, but is not limited to: Significantly increasing youth tourist numbers in their region, achieving substantial recognition across the industry or in the media, releasing a new youth/adventure campaign, hosting a significant youth focused event or a combination of these and more.

Best Transport (Aus/NZ)

  • This award celebrates airline, train, coach, campers/hire vehicles and marine companies who allow connectivity & dispersal across geographic locations for youth/adventure travellers.

Best Travel agent (Aus/NZ)

  • This award recognises business committed to curating the best experiences on offer and upholding a work environment that stands out to consumers and staff within a physical retail space.

Best Backpacker night (Aus/NZ)

  • This award recognises those who’s focus is to facilitate the best night out for young travellers 18 – 35. This catergory is open to but not limited to venues, special events and nightclub activities.

Best Accommodation (State and National Aus/Nz)

  • This award recognises accommodation providers who enhance their customers travel experience by providing exceptional facilites and services to youth tourism travellers.

Best Tour/Activity (State Awards)

  • This award recognises Tour/Activity operators who foster outstanding experiences, customer dedication and excellence within their State

Best Tour (Aus/Nz)

  • Finalists within their state awards for BEST TOUR/ACTIVITY  are eligible to be finalists for this award. This award recognises Multi-Day Tour operators who foster outstanding experiences, customer dedication and excellence within their Country.

Best Activity (Aus/Nz)

  • Finalists within their state awards for BEST TOUR/ACTIVITY  are eligible to be finalists for this award. This award recognises Single-Day Tour/Activity operators who foster outstanding experiences, customer dedication and excellence within their Country.

Sustainability and Eco-Tourism Award (Aus/NZ)

  • This award recognises business that have displayed a commitment to sustainable practice within tourism, dedication to the development of eco-tourism and commitment to the environment. 

Cultural Tourism Award (Aus/NZ)

  • These awards recognise youth tourism businesses that endorse greater knowledge and understanding of Australian and New Zealand culture, heritage and history. This category is open to, but not limited to hostels, tours, activities and individuals.

Young Industry legend award

  • This award recognises an individual less than 35 years of age who has displayed extraordinary leadership, passion and contribution within the Youth Tourism Industry.

Industry legend award

  • This award recognises an individual that has displayed extraordinary leadership, passion and contribution within the Youth Tourism Industry.

Innovation Award

  • This award will recognise a business/Individual, operating/working within the Youth Tourism Industry that displayed an outstanding achievement in creativity and leadership through an innovative product, service or marketing strategy.