Minister congratulates winners of Tourism Awards

Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Hospitality and Racing and Minister for the Arts, George Souris, has congratulated the winners in 30 categories at the 2011 NSW Tourism Awards announced last night.

Presented by the Tourism Industry Council NSW and sponsored by Destination NSW, the NSW Tourism Awards is the largest and most prestigious event on the State’s annual tourism calendar.

Mr Souris said the awards, now in their twenty-second year, were an acknowledgement of the quality and diversity of tourism attractions and experiences in NSW.

“There were a record number of nominations for this year’s awards, proving that the industry in NSW is certainly focused on being at the forefront of tourism in Australia,” Mr Souris said.

“There were 152 finalists nominated for 30 categories, a testament to the diversity and strength of the industry.

“It’s important for us to recognise the tremendous efforts of tourism businesses, services and operators.

“Their passion and drive are crucial elements in making NSW the nation’s number one visitor destination.

“The NSW Government, through Destination NSW, is very proud to be the major sponsor of this prestigious event.

“Destination NSW, armed with $400 million in funding over the next four, has been set the target of doubling overnight tourism expenditure by 2020.

“It’s a huge job, but with the Government’s commitment and support, combined with a robust and professional industry, it is a goal within our reach.

“Again, I congratulate this year’s winners, who are the benchmark for best practices in the tourism sector,” Mr Souris said.

The gold award recipients at tonight’s awards include:

• Sydney’s Taronga Zoo - Major Tourist Attraction
• Bluesfest Byron Bay - Major Festivals and Events;
• The Blue Mountain’s Magic of Jenolan - Tourist Attraction;
• Sydney’s Lane Cove River Tourist Park - Ecotourism; Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism
• Newcastle Airport - Specialised Tourism Services;
• The Hunter’s Wyndham Estate Winery - Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Boutique Breweries;
• Nelson Bay’s Moonshadow Cruises - Major Tour and/or Transport Operators;
• Broken Hill’s Tri State Safaris - Adventure Tourism; Tour and/or Transport Operators
• Sydney Harbour YHA - Backpacker Accommodation.

Tourism Industry Council NSW Chairman Ken Corbett said this year’s awards were the first in a new era for the NSW tourism industry.

“We are really excited to be part of the Government’s renewed commitment to tourism and the fact we have such a strong field of finalists in tonight’s awards bodes well for our new target of doubling overnight tourism expenditure by 2020,”Mr Corbett said.

“The incredible professionalism and passion displayed by this year’s finalists sets a high benchmark in the quality of our tourism product in NSW, which can only be good for the industry in the long-term.”

For a full list of 2011 NSW Tourism Awards go to: nswtourismawards.com.au.