Minister for Tourism and Major Events, George Souris, has praised the New South Wales winners at the 2012 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards after the State scooped the pool during this evening's gala ceremony, receiving 16 awards in total.
15 February 2013“I congratulate the NSW award recipients who took out a total of 16 awards, more than any other State or Territory.”
“NSW received 7 coveted Gold Awards and 9 Silver Awards from the 27 national categories, an achievement to be celebrated.”
“Tourism continues to be a leading industry in our State, contributing $20.2 billion per year in international and domestic overnight visitor expenditure to the NSW economy with tourism employment accounting for one in every 22 jobs in NSW,” Mr Souris said.
Destination NSW CEO, Sandra Chipchase, extended her congratulations to the NSW award recipients, saying the State’s performance reflected the high-quality of visitor experiences delivered in NSW.
“NSW continues to be the destination of choice for both domestic and international visitors and I’m proud to see so many NSW tourism operators recognised at a national level, for delivering exceptional visitor experiences and tourism product,” Ms Chipchase said.
The 2012 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards were announced earlier this evening during a gala ceremony held in Hobart.
NSW AWARD RECIPIENTS
Gold
Major Festivals and Events - 2012 Tamworth Country Music Festival (Tamworth)
Festivals and Events - Deni Ute Muster (Murray-Darling)
Tourism Education and Training - Travel 21fiftythree, Western Sydney Institute, TAFE NSW (Baulkham Hills)
Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services - Margan Restaurant (Upper Hunter)
Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries - Wyndham Estate Winery (Cessnock)
Backpacker Accommodation - Sydney Harbour YHA (Sydney)
New Tourism Development - Madame Tussauds Sydney (Sydney)
Silver
Tourist Attractions - Cape Byron State Conservation Area (Ballina)
Ecotourism - Jenolan Caves, Ancient Underground (Bathurst)
Heritage and Cultural Tourism - Jenolan Caves, Written in Stone (Bathurst)
Indigenous Tourism - Mutawintji Eco Tours/Tri State Safaris (Murray-Darling)
Tour and/or Transport Operators - Tri State Safaris (Murray-Darling)
Adventure Tourism - Jenolan Caves, Ancient Underground (Bathurst)
Tourist and Caravan Parks - Big4 Deniliquin Holiday Park (Murray-Darling)
Hosted Accommodation - Mollymook Beach Waterfront (South Coast)
Deluxe Accommodation - The Observatory, Port Macquarie (Port Macquarie)
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