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2025 NSW Tourism Awards are underway!

Nominations for the 2025 NSW Tourism Awards are now closed, with a record number of entries received!


Tourism operators across New South Wales are now hard at work crafting their award-winning submissions supported by the NSW Tourism Association's comprehensive Entrant Support Program. 


Following an extensive national review and wide-ranging industry consultation, this year’s program features a fresh, streamlined entry process designed to make participation easier, while maintaining the prestige and integrity that the awards are known for.

Key updates for 2025 include:


  • Simplified, refined questions
     
  • A reduced word count (now 4,000–7,500 words, down from 10,000)
     
  • A guided format to help you present your achievements with clarity and impact


Watch this space for the finalists announcement on 14 October.

NSW Tourism Association Tourism Awards Logo

The NSW Tourism Awards, is the pinnacle awards program for the New South Wales visitor economy.   


The awards, presented by NSW Tourism Association, recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of the state’s tourism industry, and forms part of the prestigious Australian Tourism Awards.


Open to all tourism businesses within New South Wales, categories range for tourist attractions, tour and transport, festivals and events, food, wine, accommodation and more. 


Winners of the Awards are announced at the NSW Tourism Gala at Waterview in Bicentennial Park on 27 November. 

Benefits of entering

 The NSW Tourism Awards, presented by NSW Tourism Association, have been recognising and rewarding business excellence, innovation and professionalism in tourism for more than 50 years. Entrants receive support throughout the process alongside a range of benefits, including:  

  • An opportunity to review business goals and record successes
  • Raise your profile by receiving public recognition of your achievements
  • Ensure business growth and development
  • Benchmark against industry competitors
  • Examine the productivity of marketing activities
  • The opportunity to represent New South Wales at the Australian Tourism Awards

Entrant Support Program

Join the Free Entrant Support Program to maximise your success

If you're considering entering the NSW Tourism Awards, the Entrant Support Program delivered by the NSW Tourism Association is an invaluable resource. With passionate, knowledgeable support from our team and judging experts, you'll receive guidance that keeps you focused, confident and on track. The interactive weekly webinars and draft review service providing personalised feedback makes the process far less daunting, especially for newcomers. This program isn’t just helpful—it’s a major advantage and a clear pathway to success. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to give your entry the best possible chance. 

Register for Entrant support webinars

Entrant Support Program Dates

10 June

Why enter the NSW Tourism Awards

2pm

-

3pm

Online - register for link

10 June

Why enter the NSW Tourism Awards

2pm

-

3pm

Online - register for link

17 June

Getting application ready

2pm

-

3pm

Online - register for link

17 June

Getting application ready

2pm

-

3pm

Online - register for link

24 June

Qu 1: Refining the introduction

2pm

-

3pm

Online - register for link

24 June

Qu 1: Refining the introduction

2pm

-

3pm

Online - register for link

1 July

Qu 2: Business development expectations

2pm

-

3pm

Online - register for link

1 July

Qu 2: Business development expectations

2pm

-

3pm

Online - register for link

8 July

Qu 3: Explaining your marketing

2pm

-

3pm

Online - register for link

8 July

Qu 3: Explaining your marketing

2pm

-

3pm

Online - register for link

More Events
Register for Entrant support webinars

2025 Key Dates

Nominations & Submissions Open

Monday 28 April 2025

Entrant Support Program

Weekly from Tuesday 10 June 2.00pm - 3.00pm

Register here

Nominations Close

 Friday 27 June 2025

Draft Submissions Close

Wednesday 6 August 2025

Final Submissions Close

Wednesday 20 August 2025

Finalists Announced

Tuesday 14 October 2025

Gala Event

Thursday 27 November 2025

How to enter

1. Choose your category

With 30 business categories in NSW Tourism Awards, there is a category for tourism businesses of all shapes and sizes.  

NSW CATEGORY OVERVIEW

2. Read the rules & regulations

Before you enter the awards, it’s important that you first read the rules and regulations.

RULES & REGULATIONS

3. Nominate via the Quality Tourism online portal

Nomination fee: 

  • $220 +GST NSW Tourism Association Members
  • $295 +GST Non-members


Nominate HERE

4. Submit your Draft Submission

 As a part of our free entrant support, an experienced former judge can review a draft of your submission and provide feedback. Draft submissions are due by Wednesday 6 August 2025.  

5. Complete your Final Submission

Submit your final submission via the Quality Tourism online portal by Wednesday 20 August 2025.  

6. Save the date for our Gala Celebration - 27 November 2025

It’s time to celebrate! You’ve put in all the hard work, now it’s time to kick back and celebrate your achievements at our Gala Celebration, where the winners of each awards category will be announced. As one of the NSW tourism industry’s biggest event of the year, you don’t want to miss out—Thursday 27 November will be the night to celebrate all things tourism! 

2025 NSW Tourism Award Category Guides & Questions

01. Major Tourist Attractions (pdf)

Download

02. Tourist Attractions (pdf)

Download

03. Major Festivals & Events (pdf)

Download

04. Festivals & Events (pdf)

Download

05. Ecotourism (pdf)

Download

06. Cultural Tourism (pdf)

Download

07. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experience (pdf)

Download

08. Tourism Retail, Hire and Services (pdf)

Download

09. Visitor Information Services (pdf)

Download

10. Business Event Venues (pdf)

Download

11. Major Tour & Transport Operators (pdf)

Download

12. Tour & Transport Operators (pdf)

Download

13. Adventure Tourism (pdf)

Download

14. Tourism Marketing and Campaigns (pdf)

Download

15. Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services (pdf)

Download

16a. Tourism Wineries + 16b. Tourism Distilleries & Breweries (pdf)

Download

17. Caravan & Holiday Parks (pdf)

Download

18. Hosted Accommodation (pdf)

Download

19. Unique Accommodation (pdf)

Download

20. Self-contained Accommodation (pdf)

Download

21. 3-3.5 Star Accommodation (pdf)

Download

22. 4 - 4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation (pdf)

Download

23. 5 Star Luxury Accommodation (pdf)

Download

24. New Tourism Business (pdf)

Download

25. Excellence in Food Tourism (pdf)

Download

26. Excellence in Accessible Tourism (pdf)

Download

27. Local Government Award for Tourism 2025 (pdf)

Download

28. Take 3 for the Sea Award for Visitor Litter Prevention (pdf)

Download

29. Service to Tourism Industry (pdf)

Download

30. Outstanding Contribution by an Individual (pdf)

Download

Rules & Regulations

NSW RULES AND REGULATIONS 2025 (pdf)Download

It’s your time to shine!

 Are you ready to take to the stage and celebrate the success of your tourism business? It’s your time to shine. If you have any questions or need help with the submission process, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team.  

Message from Awards Chair - Ron Beeldman

Message from NSW Tourism Association Chair - Stuart Ayres

Message from NSW Tourism Association Chair - Stuart Ayres

"Welcome to the 2025 NSW Tourism Awards Program.


The Awards provide an excellent opportunity to benchmark your business and highlight your achievements of excellence in all aspects of your operations.


The Awards offer you an opportunity to reflect on your business, with questions designed to highlight your strategies, accomplishments, and l

"Welcome to the 2025 NSW Tourism Awards Program.


The Awards provide an excellent opportunity to benchmark your business and highlight your achievements of excellence in all aspects of your operations.


The Awards offer you an opportunity to reflect on your business, with questions designed to highlight your strategies, accomplishments, and lessons you've learned along the way. 


With a panel of three highly skilled and experienced judges, you also receive feedback after the Awards to support continuous improvement. Entrants can join our support program, to be guided by experienced mentors and our judging team, through our online workshops. 


The NSW visitor economy is leading the country with the largest share of visitors, nights and expenditure, and now is the most advantageous time to document how your business contributes to making NSW the premier destination for all visitors.  


On behalf of my fellow judges, we look forward to experiencing and celebrating your success through your participation in this very worthwhile program."

Message from NSW Tourism Association Chair - Stuart Ayres

Message from NSW Tourism Association Chair - Stuart Ayres

Message from NSW Tourism Association Chair - Stuart Ayres

  "The NSW Tourism Awards have been synonymous with industry development opportunities while also recognising excellence in the industry.” The Hon. Stuart Ayres, Chair of the NSW Tourism Association, has highlighted the significant role of the NSW Tourism Awards in advancing the industry. 


I can’t emphasise enough, the awards are a crucial

  "The NSW Tourism Awards have been synonymous with industry development opportunities while also recognising excellence in the industry.” The Hon. Stuart Ayres, Chair of the NSW Tourism Association, has highlighted the significant role of the NSW Tourism Awards in advancing the industry. 


I can’t emphasise enough, the awards are a crucial platform for receiving valuable feedback and innovative ideas to businesses. These awards not only judge businesses against their peers, thereby fostering a quality-driven environment, but also celebrate and recognise excellence in the tourism sector. This awards process enables leading NSW businesses to be acknowledged on the national stage at the Australian Tourism Awards, underlining their contribution to the industry and promoting their excellence​ in tourism. "

Australian Tourism Awards Program

Message from NSW Tourism Association Chair - Stuart Ayres

Australian Tourism Awards Program

 Winners of the Awards will be announced at a Gala Ceremony held later in the year. 


The Gold winners in categories 1-26 will advance to the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards and compete against finalists from each State and Territory.  

Learn more about the Australian Tourism Awards

Partners & Sponsors

2024 NSW Tourism Awards Highlights

2024 NSW Tourism Awards: Celebrating Pride, Strength, Community & Passion

 Relive the magic of the 2024 NSW Tourism Gala Night! A celebration of pride, strength, community, and passion, showcasing the heart of our industry. From inspiring winners to unforgettable moments, this highlights reel captures it all. Watch now and share in the joy of our incredible tourism community!  

NSW Tourism Awards Information

Rules and RegulationscATEGORIESprevious winnersNSW Tourism Awards Commitee and Judges
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