NSW Tourism Association announces for finalists for 2024 awards

NSW Tourism Association announces for finalists for 2024 awards
Edited by Travel Weekly


The NSW Tourism Association has announced the finalists for the NSW Tourism Awards 2024, marking the first time they have hosted the prestigious awards.

The 2024 awards program celebrates the businesses and operators the deliver exceptional visitor experiences across NSW, while highlighting the strength, pride, and passion that drives the state’s vibrant visitor economy.

Two hundred award nominees were received, twice as much as the previous year. 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 CEO, Natalie Godwards, highlighted the award categories showcase the diverse range of businesses within the visitor economy. She also noted this year’s awards hold special significance as they were designed to unite and celebrate the achievements of the tourism sector.

“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,” she said.

“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 CEO, Steve Cox, said: “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 28 November 2024 at the NSW Tourism Gala event at The Star Sydney incorporating the NSW Tourism Awards.

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