The North Coast recently had a night to remember at the NSW Tourism Awards winning eight of the twenty-six categories on offer. In addition, the region collected a host of silver and bronze awards and two North Coast operators were inducted into the awards hall of fame.
Due to the high level of finalists from the North Coast featuring on the night the success was not unexpected.
Chair of Destination North Coast Cameron Arnold, who attended the event along with two other Board Members and the Destination North Coast team, was thrilled at the number and breadth of North Coast finalists.
‘With 37 finalists across 18 of the submission categories, our region was very well represented,’ said Mr Arnold. ‘For our industry colleagues to win Gold in eight categories and to be so well represented is a credit to their tireless efforts to deliver outstanding tourism experiences to visitors coming to our beautiful region.’
Mr Arnold said the success can also be attributed to the long history of hosting local awards and the reestablishment of the North Coast Tourism awards in July of this year. ‘The North Coast Tourism Awards was a great opportunity for the industry to come together and share our success which in turn has been a catalyst for the strong performance at the state level.’
Presented by the Tourism Industry Division of the NSW Business Chamber and supported by Destination NSW, the NSW Tourism Awards Ceremony and Gala held last on Sunday evening at Sydney’s Luna Park, is the largest and most prestigious event on the New South Wales tourism calendar.
The NSW tourism industry’s Gala Event is the night of nights and recognises excellence in tourism and brings together business leaders to celebrate success.
NSW Tourism Awards – North Coast Award Winners
Tourist Attractions
GOLD – Forestry Corporation of NSW – Sealy Lookout, Orara East State Forest
Major Festivals and Events
GOLD – Splendour in the Grass 2017
Festivals and Events
SILVER – Lismore City Council – Eat the Street Lismore
Ecotourism
SILVER – Go Sea Kayak Byron Bay
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Koala Preservation Society – Port Macquarie Koala Hospital
Cultural Tourism
SILVER – Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail
Qantas Award for Excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism
BRONZE – Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation – Giingan Gumbaynggirr Cultural Experience
Specialised Tourism Services
SILVER – Arts Mid North Coast – Mid North Coast…the Creative Coast
Business Event Venues
GOLD – Elements of Byron
Caravan and Holiday Parks
GOLD – BIG4 Great Lakes at Forster-Tuncurry
SILVER – Reflections Holiday Parks Seal Rocks
Self Contained Accommodation
GOLD – Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga
SILVER – Macquarie Waters Boutique Apartment Hotel
Deluxe Accommodation
BRONZE – Sails Port Macquarie by Rydges
Luxury Accommodation
GOLD – Elements of Byron
New Tourism Business
GOLD – Blue Ginger Picnics Le Chic Experience
GOLD – TEACH at TAFE NSW Wollongbar (North Coast NSW)
Hall of Fame inductees include Byron Bay Blues Festival and Lilly Pad Luxury Cabins Bellingen.
