Mackay Tourism Operators Recognised in Queensland's 100 Faces of Small Business

Mackay Tourism welcomes the announcement this week that two of its valued members, Renae Atherton from Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park, and Luana Royle from Rainforest Scuba, have been selected as part of Queensland’s 100 Faces of Small Business in 2018.

100 Faces of Small Business, is a Queensland Government initiative to recognise the importance of small business operators to the state’s economy. With more than 97% of Queensland businesses being small businesses, the 100 Faces of Small Business initiative aimed to showcase the inspiring stories and dedication of small businesses across Queensland.

As a testament to the growing significance of Mackay’s tourism industry, two of the 100 Faces of Small Business were local tourism operators. Renae Atherton, along with her husband Ben, own and operate the Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park. The park is world-famous for its tranquil setting at the beautiful Cape Hillsborough and being home to the iconic wallabies and kangaroos that venture down to the beach each morning.

Mrs Atherton said that being one of the 100 Faces of Small Business is recognition for her family’s hard work and dedication these past few years. “Being apart of the 100 Faces of Small Business has provided an opportunity to get a message out to other small operators in various industries that the hard work they are putting in and the utilization of Government facilities like back to work grants, digital grants and mentoring programs makes the journey and rewards all worthwhile.

Mrs Atherton continued “The success of our business has been based around our love for family – our three children, our work family, our caravanning industry family, the tourism body family and ultimately guests who share their families and join our family while holidaying with us”.

Highlighting the rising prominence of both tourism to Mackay, and Mackay to the state’s economy, the 100 Faces of Small Business6 featured not one but two Mackay Tourism operators. Luana Royle, Owner and Operator of Rainforest Scuba was also featured as part of the Governments initiative. Rainforest Scuba is the only company in the world who offer dives in crystal clear rainforest waters where platypus live and play.

Mrs Royle was honored to be featured as one of 100 Faces of Small Business. “Creating a world first experience is always a risky business venture, on top of the well documented 24/7 small business owner work hours. To be reconigised as one of Queensland’s 100 Faces of Small Business was therefore very rewarding".

With two Mackay tourism businesses being featured, General Manager of Mackay Tourism, Tas Webber, was delighted for Mrs Atherton and Mrs Royle to be a part of the 100 Faces of Small Business. “To have two of our members recongisned by the State Government demonstrates the growing economic, and social importance of Mackay’s tourism industry.”

Mr Webber continued, “Congratulations to Luana and Renae, they, like many other tourism operators across our region, work hard to create jobs and investment in Mackay, and to position Mackay as a leading tourism destination to markets across the world”.

More information on the 100 Faces of Small Business, and support for small business operators is available on the Queensland Governments – Business Queensland website.

 

Contact: 

Daniel Brown - Communications Officer

0448 994 180

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Published: 1 June 2018

 

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