The 20th annual Accommodation Awards for Excellence were hosted by the Tourism Accommodation Australia (NSW) last week at the Hyatt Regency in Sydney with almost 700 people in attendance making it the biggest attendance in the event’s history.

A number of MICE professionals were recognised at the prestigious event, including Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains and Hyatt Regency Sydney, joint winners in the Conference and Events Venue of the Year category and Erin Mules of PARKROYAL Parramatta who came out on top in the Conference and Events Employee of the Year category.

Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains General Manager Scott O’Neile said they were “thrilled to have received these very prestigious accolades which recognise Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains as a unique, unparalleled leisure and conference venue”.

A speech from Tourism Accommodation Australia chairman, Peter Tudehope, highlighted the important contribution that the NSW hotel industry provided to the state’s $30 billion visitor economy.

“As an industry we are in a very privileged position – we have a state government that recognises and supports the important contribution of the tourism sector.”

“New South Wales’ position as a leading tourism, major events and business events destination was reinforced last month with the release of the 2017-18 NSW Government Budget.”

“The government not only maintained but increased their strong funding commitment to both Destination NSW and Business Events Sydney. They have also continued their significant investment into infrastructure and transport development which is critical to continuing to grow the visitor economy and in ensuring the sustained performance of our accommodation industry.”

Several dignitaries were in attendance including The Hon. Adam Marshall, the Minister for Tourism and Events; Parliamentary Secretary for Major Events and Tourism, Jonathan O’Dea MP; and Member for Lismore, The Hon Thomas George MP.

Also in attendance were members of the TAA NSW Board Martin Ferguson, TAA National Chair; Scott Leach, President of the AHA National and NSW; and Stephen Ferguson, National CEO of the AHA.

To view the full list of winners, CLICK HERE.