REGIONAL NSW TRIUMPHS AT 2021 AUSTRALIAN TOURISM AWARDS

Ingenia Holidays South West Rocks

Eight regional NSW operators have been honoured with trophies at the 2021 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, held at the Novotel Sunshine Coast Convention Centre, Queensland, on 18 March.

Ingenia Holidays South West Rocks won Gold, Sierra Escape (Mudgee) and Heifer Station Wines (Orange) took out Silver, while Taronga Western Plains Zoo (Dubbo), Oakvale Wildlife Park (Salt Ash), Mudgee Region Tourism, Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga and Byng Street Boutique Hotel (Orange) won Bronze.

Ingenia Holidays South West Rocks Park Manager Alison Evans said that with more people holidaying at home, her team had worked hard to accommodate growing travel trends, broadening the park’s appeal to a new audience.

“With people staying close to home, we opened the park to welcome our four-legged friends – something that’s important to a growing number of holidaymakers – and introduced new accommodation options, which have also been welcomed by guests,” Ms Evans said.

“It’s definitely been a challenging time for the tourism sector, but the Ingenia Holiday Parks team has turned this time into an opportunity to review, adapt and innovate, so when guests could visit us again, we were ready to offer them the best possible experience.”

Twelve NSW businesses also received Highly Commended awards: Caravan & Camping Industry Association NSW (Major Festivals & Events), Deni Play on the Plains Festival (Festivals & Events), Sydney Harbour Kayaks (Tourism Retail & Hire Services), Bathurst Visitor Information Centre (Visitor Information Services), Taronga Zoo Sydney (Business Event Venues), Tweed Eco Cruises (Tour & Transport Operators), Lets Go Surfing (Adventure Tourism), The River Deck (Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services), Blueberry Hills on Comleroy (Hosted Accommodation), Manera Heights Apartments (3-3.5 Star Accommodation), Mt Hay Retreat (5 Star Accommodation) and Blue Ginger Picnics (Excellence In Food Tourism).