17 October 2014 FINALISTS SHOW NEW LEVELS OF INNOVATION: 2014 NSW TOURISM AWARDS

The exceptional quality of tourism providers in was revealed today as the finalists for the highly contested 25th Annual NSW Tourism Awards were announced.

Managed by the Tourism Industry division of the NSW Business Chamber, the Tourism Awards celebrate and acknowledge tourism businesses that demonstrate outstanding achievement throughout the year.

“The 2014 finalists are reflective of not only the excellence and high standard of tourism products on offer across the State, but also of the entrants’ ability to evolve their products and services to remain competitive,” said NSW Business Chamber CEO, Stephen Cartwright.

“This year’s finalists should be incredibly proud to be acknowledged as the best of the best in the tourism industry, as it is a vital cog in the State’s economy and plays a significant role in driving employment and growth in regional NSW.”

In 2014, there are over 100 finalists in 31 categories from a range of tourism areas such as Major Tourism Attractions, Ecotourism, Destination Marketing, Tourism Education and Training.

The winners will be announced at the NSW Tourism Awards Gala Ceremony on Thursday 27 November 2014 at The Dockside Pavilion, and will then represent the State at the QANTAS Australian Tourism Awards on the 11th April 2015 in Adelaide.

“This year, entrants across the board have shown they are more innovative in their services and have focused on what more they can provide their clientele. I’m confident that the quality of this year’s finalists will go on to be reflected at the national level,” said Mr Cartwright.

Reg Edwards, Chair of the judging panel, said he was extremely pleased to see so many new entrants.

“The new entries really took the calibre of entrants to a whole new level this year, making our job as judges quite difficult. We look forward to celebrating with the finalists and winners at the gala ceremony in November,” said Mr Edwards.

All industry members and finalists are invited to attend the NSW Tourism Awards Gala Ceremony on Thursday 27 November 2014. Tickets are available for purchase at http://www.nswtourismawards.com.

Media contact: Elizabeth Kelleher 0414 626 384

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FINALISTS FOR 2014

AAT Kings Food I Am Albury Visitor Information Centre Forestry Corporation of NSW All Australian Journeys Four Points by Sheraton Sydney, Darling Harbour Ask Roz Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures Australian Tourist Park Management Golden Door Health Retreat & Spa Elysia Atura Blacktown, part of Amalgamated Holdings Limited Gooree Park Wines Aura Travel Halifax Holiday Park Australian Cycling Holidays Hermitage Lodge Bellrowan Valley Horse Riding Hollydene Estate Bent on Food Hunter Valley Gardens BIG4 Deniliquin Holiday Park Inclusive Tourism Pty Ltd BIG4 Karuah Jetty Holiday Park JC Travel Professionals Pty. Ltd Billabong Zoo Jenolan Caravan Park, Oberon Bimbadgen Lakesea Park Blackbutt Reserve Lakeview Luxury Cabins Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School Life's An Adventure Bluesfest Pty Ltd Lighthouse Tourism Byron Bay Eco Cruises & Kayaks Lismore City Council Byron Beach Cafe Macquarie Waters Calabash Bay Lodge Margan Wines Camden Show Society Mawland Quarantine Station Pty Limited Canowindra Challenge Inc Mollymook Beach Waterfront Coffs Coast Holiday Parks Moree Visitor Information Centre Butterfly House Mountain Heritage Hotel & Spa Retreat Crowne Plaza Terrigal Mountain Whispers Luxury Accommodation DAG Sheep Station Mowbray Park Farm Holidays Deni Play on the Plains Festival Ltd. Narrabri Shire Visitor Information Centre Destination NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Destination Southern Highlands NCDN Destination Tweed Newcastle Ghost Tours Devil Ark Incorporated Nightcap Restaurant, Travel and Air Dubbo City Council Nimbin Rox YHA Ecoline Noonaweena Eldee Station Stay North Coast Holiday Parks Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains Northern Sydney Institute Fairview ArtSpace NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Featherdale Wildlife Park Nundle Woollen Mill Flash Camp Pty Ltd Oberon Council

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Office of Environment and Heritage NSW National Parks Telegraph Retreat Luxury Cottages Opera Temora Aviation Museum Oyster Bay Bed & Breakfast The Historical Museum The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mt Tomah Port of Newcastle The City of Newcastle Port Stephens Council The D'Vine Group Quality Hotel On Olive The Lagoon Seafood Restaurant Rydges Camperdown The Lodge Outback Motel Sand Dune Adventures The Observatory, Port Macquarie Scenic World The Sebel Resort & Spa Hawkesbury Valley Scone Motor Inn Tourism Inverell Shoalhaven City Council Tri State Safaris Singleton Council Two Feet & a Heartbeat Sweetness The Patisserie Village Roadshow Theme Parks Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Wild Valley Art Park Sydney TAFE YHA Ltd Tamworth Regional Council Telegraph Retreat Luxury Cottages Taronga Conservation Society Australia Temora Aviation Museum Taronga Western Plains Zoo The Big Banana

Notes to the Editor:

The judging process was conducted by a panel of highly experienced tourism professionals and audited by Bell Partners. Finalist images are available on request: please email

[email protected]

Tourism Industry division, NSW Business Chamber:

http://www.nswbusinesschamber.com.au/Tourism-Industry

NSW Tourism Awards:

http://www.nswtourismawards.com/

Tourism Awards Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/NSWTourismAwards

Tourism Awards Twitter feed:

https://twitter.com/NSWTourismAward

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