29 Jul 2013
Inland NSW Tourism applauds the many winners who topped their categories in the 10th anniversary year of the CountryLink Inland NSW Tourism Awards on Saturday, 27 July in Moree.
Regional tourism's night of nights, the CountryLink Inland NSW Tourism Awards comprise the best of regional tourism operators from across four NSW tourism regions: Inland, Central, Riverina and the Murray River.
In a fitting win, INTA's 2013 host town, Moree, was recognised for its Visitor Information and Services.
Inland members also scooped the Accommodation category, taking out the Unique, Standard and Hosted Accommodation accolades.
Overall congratulations go to:
- Boggabri Drover's Campfire Event, Boggabri - Community Festivals and Events
- Gold Trails - New Tourism Development
- DAG Sheep Station, Nundle - Unique Accommodation
- The Lodge Outback Motel, Broken Hill - Standard Accommodation
- Eldee Station, Broken Hill - Hosted Accommodation
- DAG Sheep Station, Nundle - Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services
- Broken Hill City Council, Broken Hill - Destination Marketing
- Tri State Safaris, Broken Hill - Tour and/or Transport Operator
- Green Gully Track, Walcha - Adventure Tourism
- Tourism Moree, Moree - Visitor Information and Services
- Tri State Safaris/Mutawintji Tours, Broken Hill - Indigenous Tourism
- Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo - Tourist Attraction
- Nundle Woollen Mill, Nundle - Heritage and Cultural Tourism
In a completely new category assessed by judges across all INTA entrants, the Royal Flying Doctors Service's Bruce Langford Visitor's Centre, Broken Hill won the industry's Best Digital Presence.
Broken Hill City Council was awarded the 'best of the best' Judges Award for its Broken Hill for Real Destination Marketing campaign.
In addition to his two category wins, Michael McCulkin, director of Inland NSW Tourism and owner of Tri State Safaris, was also recognised for his outstanding contribution to regional tourism by an individual with the prestigious Ted Wilson Award.
Congratulations also go to the other Inland region finalists, including:
- Experience the Highs, Armidale - Destination Marketing
- DAG Sheep Station, Nundle - Tourist Attractions category
- Silver City Mint and Art Centre, Broken Hill - Tourist Attractions category
- Royal Flying Doctor Service, Broken Hill - Tourist Attractions category
- Tamworth Country Music Festival, Tamworth - Festivals and Events
- Brewarrina Visitor Information and Cultural Centre - Heritage and Cultural Tourism
- Yammu Ganu Gallery, Moree - Indigenous Tourism
- Armidale Tourist Park and YHA, Armidale - Tourist and Caravan Parks
- Liverpool Plains Visitor Information Centre, Quirindi - Visitor Information Centre
- Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre, Moree
- Old Fashion Favourites, Broken Hill
- The River House, Bingara - Accommodation
Inland NSW Tourism CEO Graham Perry congratulated all category winners on their accolades and their contribution to tourism excellence.
"The CountryLink Inland NSW Tourism Awards play an important role in recognising tourism excellence across regional NSW by awarding operators who are providing the best products and services for our visitors, said Mr Perry.
"The awards help contribute to increasing the calibre of what's on offer by encouraging owners to build robust business plans and improve their business. The process provides a unique opportunity for owners to step back from their operations and work 'on' their business rather than 'in' it, which is essential.
"It's also important for the overall economy; the latest statistics show domestic and international visitors to NSW destinations outside Sydney generated a massive 74.4 million nights of accommodation in regional areas and $12.9 billion in tourist expenditure*. Awards such as these play a vital part in ensuring we are putting our best foot forward to the consumer and supporting a strong tourism industry."
Winners of the CountryLink Inland NSW Tourism Awards are automatically entered into the State-wide NSW Tourism Awards, which close in September and will be held in November.
The host town for the 2014 Inland NSW Tourism Awards is Griffith.
"We strongly encourage operators from across the region to consider entering the 2014 Inland NSW Tourism Awards since we know success flows from the process, both for the winners, and all those who enter. We look forward to seeing many businesses next year," concluded Mr Perry.
*Source: Destination NSW Economic Value (http://www.destinationnsw.com.au/our-industry/economic-value) taken from National and International Visitor Surveys, YE March 2013, TRA
CountryLink Inland NSW Tourism Awards 2013 Finalists
Armidale Tourist Park & YHA - Armidale
Balloon Joy Flights - Canowindra
BIG4 Forbes Holiday Park - Forbes
Boggabri Drover's Campfire Event - Boggabri
Brewarrina Visitor Information and Cultural Centre - Brewarrina
Broken Hill City Council - Broken Hill
Burnbrae Wines - Mudgee
DAG Sheep Station - Nundle
Deni Blues and Roots Festival - Deniliquin
Eldee Station - Broken Hill
Experience the Highs Tourism Marketing Campaign - Armidale
Fairview Artspace - Mudgee
Green Gully Track - Walcha
Gold Trails
Gol Gol Hotel - Gol Gol
Gooree Park Wines - Mudgee
Griffith Visitor Information Centre - Griffith
Junee Rhythm n Rail Festival - Junee
Leeton Art Deco Festival - Leeton
Leeton Visitor Information Centre - Leeton
Liverpool Plains Visitor Information Centre - Quirindi
Lowe Wines - Mudgee
Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre - Moree
Moree Visitor Information Centre - Moree
Mudgee Brewing Company - Mudgee
Nundle Woollen Mill - Nundle
Old Fashion Favourites - Broken Hill
Parkes Shire Council - Parkes
RFDS, The Bruce Langford Visitor's Centre - Broken Hill
Silver City Mint and Art Centre - Broken Hill
Tamworth Country Music Festival - Tamworth
Taronga Western Plains Zoo - Dubbo
The Lodge Outback Motel - Broken Hill
The River House - Bingara
Tri State Safaris - Broken Hill
Tri State Safaris/Mutawintji Tours - Broken Hill
Willowbend Caravan Park - Wentworth
Yaama Ganu Centre - Moree
MEDIA CONTACT:
Andrea Plawutsky
andrea@amplifyme.com.au
+61(0)419970984
