BLUE MOUNTAINS TOURISM REGION CELEBRATES A ‘GOLDEN’ NIGHT AT NSW INDUSTRY AWARDS

The Blue Mountains Tourism region celebrated an extremely successful night at the 2009 NSW Tourism Awards gala evening held at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Blue Mountains, Lithgow and Oberon tourism members were awarded a stunning cache of six Gold awards, two Silver and one Bronze award.

“The Blue Mountains, Lithgow and Oberon region tourism industry is delighted to achieve such an outstanding result, our best ever. All of our members across the region will share in basking in gold, silver and bronze this morning”, advised Randall Walker, Chairman, Blue Mountains Tourism Limited.

“It was a high profile evening for our region with the Award wins coupled with a strong show of attendance and support by members. It was the best State Awards event I have ever attended.

“Ken Corbett and the Tourism Industry Council NSW did a great job organising the Awards and the event with more than seven hundred and fifty guests present.

“And the energy across the whole industry was noticeably positive and upbeat, from Minister for Tourism, Jodi Mckay, Lyndel Gray, Executive Director and General Manager of Tourism NSW, and all the regional and local tourism bodies and many individual operators. You could feel that the NSW tourism industry is poised for growth through harmony and cooperation.”

“After our success the state’s tourism industry is certainly in no doubt of both the quality of product and the strength and unity of the industry within the Blue Mountains region”, Mr Walker enthused.

Presented this year for the first time by the Tourism Industry Council NSW (TICNSW), proudly supported by Tourism NSW, with a motivational address by the NSW Tourism Minister Jodi McKay and hosted by Michael Whitney of Sydney Weekender, the Awards black tie ceremony and Gala Dinner was a truly prestigious event and remains the most significant on the NSW tourism calendar.

The NSW Tourism Awards are a submission and inspection-based competition held annually and celebrates and acknowledges tourism businesses that have demonstrated outstanding achievement and success throughout the year.

Philip Hammon, owner and CEO of Scenic World, won the coveted Award for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism by an Individual. The Award was presented by the Minister for Tourism – Jodi McKay.

On accepting the Award, Philip stated “I thank Tourism NSW for the great work they do facilitating international famils [familiarisation tours] to Scenic World, and I thank Blue Mountains Tourism for the work it does in promoting the region.”

Philip also acknowledged his father Harry Hammon in starting the business, his wife Peta, their children and the great team of staff he had at Scenic World. Philip went on to state “tourism is Australia’s greatest export”.

Blue Mountains National Park winning an award was a great result for the region. Blue Mountains Tourism Board Director and the Regional Manager for National Parks and Wildlife Services, Geoff Luscombe was the champion for the submission. In his acceptance speech Geoff remarked “we have 10,000 beds and one million stars. What a product!”

Another special thrill on the night, according to Randall Walker was “the win for Oberon Visitor Information Centre…a triumph of genuine passion and commitment to customer service by a small enthusiastic team. They are now the best VIC in the State.”

The Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School is a great citizen within the tourism industry always assisting with industry, community and charity events. CEO Guy Bentley, Campus Director Jane Adams and Director of Academic Dominic Szambowski lead a very professional academic team, deliver a truly world class range of courses, attract students from all over the world and send graduates back out into the world to work with all the major brands.

Blue Mountains Tourism Executive Officer, Kerry Fryer, was delighted with the Award to Old Leura Dairy for Unique Accommodation. Kerry is aware that “its owners have been delivering a quality experience to visitors for so many years, they have consistently entered the State awards over the past seven years and not won. This year was their year and they thoroughly deserve it”.

Old Leura Dairy owner Shaina Gliener accepted the Award and motivated other entrants by saying “never give up”. Shaina thanked Blue Mountains Tourism for its ongoing support and thanked her partner and great team at the property.

Featherdale Wildlife Park is a member of Blue Mountains Lithgow and Oberon Tourism. Although located at Blacktown it is a key inclusion for coach groups visiting the Blue Mountains. Nick Mahoney conducts International Sales for Featherdale and has been a great Ambassador for the region for many years.

Randall Walker congratulated Jenolan Caves on their Silver and Bronze awards. “Jenolan Caves has been undertaking such a comprehensive rebranding and repositioning of the visitor experience. The Magic of Jenolan and the Adventure Underground are key drawcards to our region. This famous product is constantly improving under the leadership of Peter Austen, Dan Cove and Dennis Winchester.”

Blue Mountains Tourism Limited 2009 NSW Tourism Awards Winners and Finalists

Gold Awards

Ecotourism
Blue Mountains National Park
www.nationalparks.com.au  

Rod Murdoch Memorial Award Visitor Information and Services
Oberon Visitor Information Centre
www.oberonaustralia.com  

Tourism Education and Training
Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School
www.hotelschool.com.au  

Unique Accommodation
Old Leura Dairy
www.oldleuradairy.com  

Major Tourist Attractions
Featherdale Wildlife Park
www.featherdale.com.au  

Outstanding Contribution by an Individual
2009 Winner
Philip Hammon

Silver Awards

Tourist Attractions
The Magic of Jenolan, Jenolan Caves
www.jenolancaves.org.au

Meetings and Business Tourism
Old Leura Dairy
www.oldleuradairy.com

Bronze Awards

Adventure Tourism
Adventure Underground, Jenolan Caves
www.jenolancaves.org.au  

Finalists

Ecotourism
Tread Lightly eco tours
Heritage and Cultural tourism
Bygone Beauties
The Norman Lindsay Gallery
Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services
The Conservation Hut
Tourist and Caravan Parks
Jenolan Caravan Park
Hosted Accommodation
Whispering Pines Chalet and Cottages
Registered Clubs
Wentworth Falls Country Club

Tourism Marketing
Privileged Guest Card (Blue Mountains Accommodation Association)
Specialist Tourism Services
Spa Sublime