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Marking the first time they have hosted the NSW Tourism Awards 2024, the newly formed NSW Tourism Association has announced this year’s finalists.

Celebrating the businesses and operators who have delivered exceptional visitor experiences across NSW, this year’s award program also highlights the strength, pride and passion that drives the NSW’s vibrant visitor economy.

With 200 award nominations received this year, double that of previous years, the judging panel, featuring over 50 leading tourism experts, noted the increase in the quality of submissions, reflecting the growth in commitment to excellence across the state.

The NSW Tourism Awards serves as the only pathway for NSW visitor economy businesses to compete at the Australian Tourism Awards. As such, all entries were required to be assessed in line with the Quality Tourism Framework Sustainable Business Standards.

NSW Tourism Association Chief Executive, Natalie Godward highlighted the award categories showcase the diverse range of businesses within the visitor economy while noting that this year’s awards hold special significance as they were designed to unite and celebrate the achievements of the tourism sector.

Godward explained “NSW Tourism Association is delighted to be hosting the awards for the first time and to lead the charge in recognising the amazing operators across NSW who are making great contributions to the visitor economy across our state. These awards recognise the exceptional standards in visitor experience and aim to unite the tourism community.

"This year, we’ve engaged more industry experts in the judging process to ensure every entrant meets the highest levels of quality through accreditation. It’s a reflection of our commitment to supporting the long-term success of tourism businesses across the state and to inspire continued growth.”

Destination NSW Chief Executive, Steve Cox added “Destination NSW is proud to be a major sponsor of the NSW Tourism Awards, which highlight the remarkable achievements of visitor economy businesses and destinations across the state.

“Our nation-leading $52.9 billion visitor economy is a testament to the work of these exceptional operators. Their passion for providing world-class experiences will ensure NSW continues to be the number one visitor destination in Australia.”

The 2024 finalists 
Attractions & Experiences
4WD Tours R Us
Activity Tours Australia
Aquamarine Adventures
Balloon Aloft Australia
Barooga Sports Club
Beyond The Blacktop Adventure Tours
Blue Mountains Climbing School
Bundyi Cultural Tours
Captain Cook Cruises
Chapman Tours Pty Ltd
Dive Lord Howe
Dubbo Regional Council - Old Dubbo Gaol
Hay Shire Council
Let’s Go Surfing 
Local Sauce Tours
Moonshadow - TQC Cruises
Northern Rivers Rail Trail
Oz Jet Boating 
Port Macquarie Museum
Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary
Sandhills Artefacts
Symbio Wildlife Park
The Big Banana Pty Ltd 
Tom's Outdoors
ULTIMATE Travel 

Festivals & Events
Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail
Bathurst Winter Festival
Bluesfest Byron Bay
Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash
Crank It Up Batemans Bay
Deni Ute Muster
Strawberry Fields Festival
Tumbafest Inc
Walcha Motorcycle Rally

Accommodation
Amaroo Valley Springs
Black Sheep Inn
Cedars Mount View
Evamor Valley
Holiday Haven Lake Conjola 
Kalinya Estate
Mt Hay Retreat
Myall River Camp
Nyngan Riverside Tourist Park
Sierra Escape
Tasman Holiday Parks Racecourse Beach
Tathra Beach Eco Camp
The Oriana Orange - Retro Hotel & Resort
Waukivory Estate
Wilga Station Pty Ltd

Food Tourism
Calabria Family Wines 
Cape Byron Distillery
Cupitt
Firescreek Winery
Food I Am 
Frankies Restaurant and Bar
Husk Farm Distillery
Ladbroken Distillery Brewhouse
Love Lord Howe
McWilliam’s Wines
Pipit
Potager - A Kitchen Garden
Tocumwal Chocolate School

Sustainable Tourism
Eden Tourism Incorporated
Kestrel Nest EcoHut
Navigate Expeditions
Sydney By Kayak

Tourism Services
Albury Visitor Information Centre
Ask Roz Blue Mountains
Barrington Coast: Whatever It Takes 
Bathurst Regional Council
Bathurst Visitor Information Centre
Central Coast Council
City of Newcastle
Cowra Tourism Corporation
Destination Central Coast 
Destination Sydney Surrounds South
Dubbo Regional Council 
Hipscotch
Hirehood
MidCoast Council: Destination Barrington Coast
Narrabri Region Visitor Information Centre
Orange360 'Enjoy the Now' Brand Campaign
Outback Jess Pty Ltd
Sparrowly Group
The Tweed Tourism Company 
TRC Tourism
Visit Albury Wodonga. Always in Season

New Tourism Businesses
Beneath The Bay
Showtime Kayaking
The Brooklet 
W Sydney

The winners will be announced on Thursday 28th November 2024 at the NSW Tourism Gala event at The Star Sydney incorporating the NSW Tourism Awards. 

NSW Tourism Association welcomes Business NSW awards initiative
The NSW Tourism Association has also thanked Business NSW visitor economy categories to its awards, noting that 35 tourism organisations were finalists at this week's NSW Business Awards.

It also congratulated the tourism businesses who were recognised at the awards:

• Visitor Experience Winner - Potager Restaurant 
• Visitor Experience Highly Commended - Australian Reptile Park 
• Sustainable Tourism Winner - Sydney By Kayak 
• Visitor Economy Collaboration Winner - The Big Chill Festival Armidale

In addition, the Dean Gorddard Award for Outstanding Contribution in Tourism by an Individual was awarded to Janet Mackay of TRC Tourism.

The NSW Tourism Association was also one of the finalists in the Visitor Economy Collaboration category.

Click here for more information about the NSW Tourism Awards and the finalists.

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