NSW TOURISM CONTINUES TO RISE ABOVE REST OF NATION

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres has praised the NSW tourism industry for being recognised in more award categories than any other state in the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards for the second year in a row.

NSW won 17 of the 29 categories in the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards Program including three gold, five silver and nine bronze awards with several businesses being acknowledged in multiple categories.

“Tourism is a 24/7 industry that requires hard work and commitment from all involved. This year’s showing is a tremendous result that exemplifies the professionalism of our tourism industry and has once again seen NSW recognised in more award categories than any other State,” Mr Ayres said.

“I was especially pleased to see the level of success achieved in Regional NSW, with tourism business across the State highlighted for their quality of our food and wine, accommodation and attractions.

“Tourism is a key economic driver for our State. It is an industry that contributes $28 billion per year to our economy and accounts for one in every 23 jobs in NSW.

“The success achieved by our industry underpins the NSW Government’s continued commitment to tourism and major events. It is also instrumental to helping us achieve our goal of doubling overnight visitor expenditure by 2020,” Mr Ayres added.

The 2014 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards were announced tonight at the Awards Presentation Dinner at Adelaide Convention Centre.

NSW AWARD RECIPIENTS

Gold Awards

Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services – Byron Beach Café, Byron Bay

Backpacker Accommodation – Railway Square YHA, Sydney

Food Tourism – Margan Wines, Broke

Silver Awards

Major Tourist Attractions – Taronga Zoo, Sydney

Tourist Attractions – Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo

Indigenous Tourism – Tri State Safaris/Mutawintji Eco Tours, Broken Hill

Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries – Margan Wines, Broke

Hosted Accommodation – Mollymook Beach Waterfront, Mollymook

Bronze Awards

Ecotourism – Life’s An Adventure, Sydney

Tour and/or Transport Operators – Life’s An Adventure, Sydney

Adventure Tourism – Life’s An Adventure, Sydney

Destination Marketing – Southern Highlands Tourism

Tourism Education and Training – Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School, Leura

Tourist and Caravan Parks – BIG4 Deniliquin Holiday Park, Deniliquin

Unique Accommodation – Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo

Deluxe Accommodation – Macquarie Waters Boutique Apartment Hotel, Port Macquarie

Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism – The Observatory Port Macquarie