A number of local tourism businesses have recently been acknowledged at the NSW Tourism Awards.
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The 30th anniversary edition of the prestigious awards were presented before an audience of nearly 500 industry representatives. The 10 Hunter-based title-holders were among 75 recipients awarded at Sydney's Four Seasons Hotel on 15 November.
The Australian Reptile Park, Somersby, Oakvale Wildlife Park, Salt Ash, Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, Moonshadow - TQC Cruises, Nelson Bay, Port Stephens 4WD Tours, Nelson Bay, Beyond Ballooning, Lovedale, Sand Dune Adventures, Williamtown, Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association: Hunter Valley 'Here's to the Good Life' Campaign, Brokenwood Wines Cellar Door, Pokolbin, Macquarie 4 Star, Lake Macquarie all came home with awards. The awards exemplify quality tourism and leadership in innovation, marketing and in the delivery of quality products and services.
Perhaps most impressive were the efforts of the Moonshadow - TQC Cruises team. They took out top honours in Major Tour and/or Transport Operators category for the third year in a row, awarding them an induction into the prestigious NSW Tourism Awards Hall of Fame.
Other top place-getters were the Reptile Park, the Port Stephens 4WD Tours and Macquarie 4 Star. The Australian Reptile Park, Somersby took home gold in the Major Tourist Attractions category, Port Stephens 4WD Tours, Nelson Bay won first place in the Tour and/or Transport Operators category, and Macquarie 4 Star, Lake Macquarie took out the top spot in the Standard Accommodation category.
Meanwhile, the other seven Hunter businesses took out silver and bronze spots. Silver award winners were Crowne Plaza in Business Events Venues, Sand Dune Adventures in Adventure Tourism, Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association's 'Here's to the Good Life' campaign in the Destination Marketing category, and Brokenwood Wines Cellar Door in Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries. Oakvale Wildlife Park took out a silver in Excellence in Accessible Tourism, as well as a bronze the Tourist Attractions category. Beyond Ballooning also emerged with two awards - a silver in the Tour and/or Transport Operators category, just behind Port Stephens 4WD, and a bronze in Adventure Tourism right after Sand Dune Adventures.
Most category winners will go on to the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in Canberra in March 2020.
Guest speaker Stuart Ayres, the Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney, congratulated the winners.
"Tourism is vital to our State's economy, so to be recognised at the NSW Tourism Awards is a truly outstanding achievement. I thank all of the winners for their unwavering commitment to offering our domestic and international visitors Australia's most remarkable experiences," Mr Ayres said.
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