Hosted by Western Sydney Tourism Taskforce NSW, the gala awards evening was held at Mgallery by Sofitel’s William Inglis Hotel in Warwick Farm, in Sydney’s southwest, on 24 October, 2024.
The event showcased the diversity and excellence of Western Sydney, and guests included award nominees, industry leaders, government officials, and tourism and business events operators.
Speaking at the event was Destination NSW CEO Steve Cox; Liverpool City Council Deputy Mayor Peter Harle; Western Sydney International Airport general manager, external affairs and communication, corporate affairs, Catherine Payne; and Western Sydney Tourism Taskforce NSW chair Fazila Farhad.
“As we eagerly anticipate the opening of Western Sydney International Airport in just two years, we are proud to announce winners of the Western Sydney Tourism Awards,” says Farhad.
“These awards are being proactively held to showcase to international and local markets the cluster of our tourism assets showcasing events, hotels, art, music, campaigns, leadership and history with businesses that have excelled in day and night visitation.
“We are an international destination and will continue to work with Asia Pacific markets to showcase our region and advocate for our visitor economy.”
Thirteen award categories were presented on the night, with the full list below:
Campaign Award: Hotels/Tourism Business
Platinum Winner: “Ready For It” – Holiday Inn Parramatta.
Gold Winner: “Land of OZ” – Camden Valley Inn.
Silver Winner: Little India Liverpool.
Events Campaign Awards: Councils
Platinum Winner: “Parramatta Lanes” – City of Parramatta.
Gold Winner: “Experience the World” – Liverpool City Council.
Business Event Festival of the Year
Platinum Winner: “Glow” – Sydney Zoo.
Gold Winner: “Illuminate Festival of Art and Light” – Wollondilly Shire Council.
Tour Group Experience of the Year
Platinum Winner: “GDT Journey” – Golden Dragon Travel.
Gold Winner: Wollondilly Tours.
Best Visitor Economy Event: Day Visitation
Platinum Winner: “Thirlmere Festival of Steam” – Transport Heritage NSW and Wollondilly Shire Council.
Gold Winner: “Medieval Fayre” – Blacktown City Council.
Best Visitor Economy Event: Night Visitation
Platinum Winner: “Most Blessed Nights” – Liverpool City Council.
Outstanding Business Leader of the Year
Platinum Winner: Jake Burgess, Sydney Zoo.
Platinum Winner: Amanda Barnes, Kalinya Estate.
Gold Winner: Anurag Sharma, Holiday Inn Paramatta.
Outstanding Community Engagement
Platinum Winner: June Young, Lifeline Macarthur.
Platinum Winner: Michael Foulkes, Cabravale Diggers.
Gold Winner: Brent Hilbrink Watson, Wollondilly Tours.
Silver Winner: Irlanda Garcia, Skye Suites Parramatta.
Best Rated Cuisine: Hotels/Clubs/Restaurants
Platinum Winner: “China Doll” – West HQ.
Gold Winner: “Bellbird Dining and Bar” – Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre.
Gold Winner: “District 8” – Cabravale Diggers.
Silver Winner: Menangle Country Club.
Best Historical Venue: Visitation
Platinum Winner: NSW Rail Museum.
Gold Winner: Kalinya Estate.
Best Music and Arts Venue
Platinum Winner: Sydney Coliseum Theatre, West HQ.
Gold Winner: Campbelltown Arts Centre.
Gold Winner: Riverside Theatres Parramatta.
Best Multicultural Show/Event
Platinum Winner: “Cabramatta Moon Festival” – Fairfield City Council.
Gold Winner: “Motherland Africa” – Liverpool City Council
Tourism Business of the Year
Platinum Winner: Accor Stadium – Sydney Olympic Park.
Gold Winner: Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan.
Silver Winner: Liverpool Catholic Club.
Silver Winner: William Inglis Hotel.
Special Award: Outstanding Contribution to Tourism – 50 years in Western Sydney
Featherdale Wildlife Park.
