Minister for Tourism Jodi McKay yesterday (Oct 7) announced the finalists for the 2009 NSW Tourism Awards, supported by NSW Government and hosted by the Tourism Industry Council NSW.
“The NSW Tourism Awards are the State’s most prestigious tourism accolade,” McKay said. “I congratulate each finalist on their nomination and thank them for their continued contribution to tourism in NSW.
The Minister said that the Awards are about recognising the importance of tourism to the State’s economy and rewarding the tourism operators who have helped to enhance our reputation as a destination, both domestically and internationally.
Chairman of the Tourism Industry Council NSW, Ken Corbett said that the Awards play a critical role in driving product innovation and quality throughout the NSW tourism industry.
“The judges have selected an exciting range of products and services across all categories this year,” he said.
Finalists were chosen from 30 categories including attractions, festivals and events, ecotourism, tour and transport operators, marketing, a range of accommodation styles, contributions from individuals and the Young Achiever Award.
Winners will be announced at the NSW Tourism Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner on Thursday 19 November at The Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.
Tickets for the event can be purchased online at by clicking here.
A selection of the 2009 finalists are:
Major Tourist Attractions
• ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney
• Featherdale Wildlife Park, Doonside, Sydney
• Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney
Major Festivals and Events
• Sydney Festival 2009
• Vivid Sydney
Festivals and Events
• 2009 Countrylink Parkes Elvis Festival, Parkes, Central NSW
• Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Lights Spectacular, Pokolbin, Hunter
• NSW Caravan, Camping, 4WD and Holiday Supershow, Rosehill, Sydney
• Old Bar Beach Festival, Old Bar, Mid North Coast
• World Youth Day 2008 – Days in the Diocese, Wollongong, South Coast
Ecotourism
• Blackbutt Reserve, Kotara, Hunter
• Blue Mountains National Park, Katoomba, Blue Mountains
• Fivebough & Tuckerbil Wetlands, Leeton, Riverina
• Lakesea Park, South Durras, South Coast
• Lane Cove River Tourist Park, Macquarie Park, Sydney
• Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, Port Macquarie, Mid North Coast
• Tread Lightly eco tours, Medlow Bath, Blue Mountains
Specialised Tourism Services
• Bent on Food, Wingham, Mid North Coast
• BridgeClimb Sydney, The Rocks, Sydney
• Kangaroo Valley Tourist Association, Kangaroo Valley, South Coast
• Newcastle Airport, Williamtown, Hunter
• Spa Sublime, Katoomba, Blue Mountains
• two eight two eight, Gulargambone, Central NSW
Meetings and Business Tourism
• Coachhouse Marina Resort, Batemans Bay, South Coast
• Crowne Plaza Newcastle, Newcastle, Hunter
• Old Leura Dairy, Leura, Blue Mountains
• Shoal Bay Resort & Spa, Shoal Bay, Mid North Coast,
• Tour East Australia, Sydney
Deluxe Accommodation
• Bellachara Boutqiue Hotel Gerringong, Gerringong, South Coast
• Crowne Plaza Newcastle, Newcastle, Hunter
• Emaroo Cottages, Broken Hill, Outback NSW
• Macquarie Waters Boutique Apartment Hotel, Port Macquarie, Mid North Coast
• The Observatory Port Macquarie, Port Macquarie, Mid North Coast
• Sevan Apartments Forster, Forster, Mid North Coast
• Shoal Bay Resort & Spa, Shoal Bay, Mid North Coast
• The Vintry, Pokolbin, Hunter
Luxury Accommodation
• Aqua Shores Mollymook Beach, Mollymook Beach, South Coast
• Peppers Salt Resort and Spa, Kingscliff, Northern Rivers
• Shangri-La Hotel Sydney, Sydney
• Sheraton on the Park, Sydney
• Tower Lodge, Pokolbin, Hunter
