The NSW Tourism Association is thrilled to announce the finalists for our inaugural NSW Tourism Awards 2024, marking the first time we’ve hosted these prestigious awards.
This year’s awards program celebrates the businesses and operators delivering exceptional visitor experiences across NSW, while also highlighting the strength, pride, and passion that drives our state’s vibrant tourism industry.
The awards have seen unprecedented engagement, with more than 200 nominations—double that of previous years—reflecting the growing commitment to excellence across the state.
The judging panel has been significantly expanded, featuring over 50 leading tourism experts. Every judge has been carefully selected to bring exceptional knowledge and expertise in evaluating the outstanding achievements of the finalists. All entries were required to be assessed in line with the Quality Tourism Framework Sustainable Business Standards.
The NSW Tourism Awards represent the pinnacle of recognition in the state’s tourism sector and serves as the only pathway for NSW businesses to compete at the national level through the Australian Tourism Awards.
With categories spanning attractions, tours, festivals, accommodation, and food tourism, the awards champion the excellence of both small and large businesses, strengthening connections across NSW’s diverse regions. From tourism operators in the cities, to rural hotspots and outback locations, the awards highlight the diversity and high standards of businesses that make NSW a premier destination for travellers. Whether family-run or internationally renowned, these organisations and individuals are delivering exceptional experiences that showcase the best of New South Wales.
An incredible 103 finalists have been recognised for 2024, with some achieving the honour of being finalists in multiple categories!
The NSW Tourism Awards 2024 finalists are:
4WD Tours R Us
Activity Tours Australia
Albury Visitor Information Centre
Amaroo Valley Springs
Aquamarine Adventures
Ask Roz Blue Mountains
Balloon Aloft
Barooga Sports Club
Batemans Bay Rock n Rollers
Bathurst Regional Council
Bathurst Visitor Information Centre
Beneath The Bay
Beyond The Blacktop Adventure Tours
Black Sheep Inn
Blue Mountains Climbing School
Bluesfest Byron Bay PTY LTD
Bundyi Cultural Tours
Calabria Family Wines
Cape Byron Distillery
Captain Cook Cruises - Sydney
Cedars Mount View
Central Coast Council
Chapman Tours Pty Ltd - Blue Mountains Day Tours
City of Newcastle
Cowra Tourism Corporation
Cruise Eden
Cupitt - Cupitt's Estate
Deni Play on the Plains Festival Ltd
Destination Sydney Surrounds South - South Coast Centre of Excellence
Dive Lord Howe
Dubbo Regional Council
Evamor Valley
Fires Creek Wines
Food I Am
Frankies Restaurant and Bar
Hay Shire Council
Hipscotch
Hirehood
Holiday Haven Lake Conjola
Husk Distillers
Kalinya Estate
Kestrel Nest EcoHut
Ladbroken Distillery Brewhouse
Lets Go Surfing
Local Sauce Tours
Love Lord Howe
McWilliams Wines
MidCoast Council: Destination Barrington Coast
Moonshadow - TQC Cruises
Mt Hay Retreat
Myall River Camp
Narrabri Region Visitor Information Centre
Navigate Expeditions -
Northern Rivers Rail Trail
Nyngan Riverside Tourist Park
Orange360
Outback Jess Pty Ltd - Spotto Books
Outback Music Festival Group Pty Ltd
Oz Jet Boating
Pipit Restaurant
Port Macquarie Museum
Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary
Potager - A Kitchen Garden
Sails Holiday Park
Sandhills Artefacts
Showtime Kayaking
Sierra Escape
Sparrowly Group
Strawberry Fields Festival
Sydney By Kayak
Symbio Wildlife Park
Tasman Holiday Parks Racecourse Beach
Tathra Beach Eco Camp
The Big Banana Fun Park
The Brooklet
The Oriana Orange - Retro Hotel & Resort
Tocumwal Chocolate School
Tom's Outdoors
TRC Tourism
Tumbafest Inc
Tweed Tourism Company
ULTIMATE Travel
W Sydney
Walcha Council
Waukivory Estate
Wilga Station
The winners will be announced on Thursday 28 November 2024 at the NSW Tourism Gala event in Sydney incorporating the NSW Tourism Awards.
You are invited to a spectacular evening of celebration, fine dining, and entertainment as we celebrate New South Wales' tourism industry.
Be part of the excitement as our award winners are announced and see who will progress to represent NSW at the Australian Tourism Awards!
DATE: Thursday 28 November 2024
TIME: 6:00pm Pre-dinner Drinks, 6:30pm NSW Tourism Gala Ceremony & Dinner
VENUE: The Star Sydney
DRESS: Black Tie
TICKETS: $280 for Members | $300 for Subscribers | $350 for Non-Members
$2600 for tables of ten
Why not gather colleagues from your region and book a table together for a fantastic evening of celebration, networking, and entertainment?
For more information on NSW Tourism Association membership and how you can access special ticket rates, click here: NSW Tourism Association Membership.
Make a night of it and book your accommodation at The Star Sydney.
The Star Sydney have generously provided NSW Tourism Gala attendees a special rate. Please use the promotional code, EVENT, to book accommodation on The Star Sydney direct website to get 25% off “Best Available Rate”. This code is valid from 25 November 2024 till 2 December 2024. See booking instructions and terms & conditions below
Note for the ticket purchaser:
Please ensure that you relay ticket terms and conditions,
including the dress code and code of conduct, to all parties
in your group.
To access this discount, please follow below steps.
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 a Gala Ceremony in late November.
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:
"Welcome to an exciting chapter of the NSW Tourism Awards with increased industry support and engagement. The awards are an invaluable opportunity to review and celebrate the achievements of your business and the great work you and your staff do to create memorable experiences for your visitors.
To be a finalist in this program demonstra
"Welcome to an exciting chapter of the NSW Tourism Awards with increased industry support and engagement. The awards are an invaluable opportunity to review and celebrate the achievements of your business and the great work you and your staff do to create memorable experiences for your visitors.
To be a finalist in this program demonstrates a commitment to quality, a commitment that is recognised by peers in the industry and your customers.
The NSW Tourism Awards offers you an opportunity to reflect on your business, with questions designed to highlight your strategies, achievements and lessons you've learnt along the way. With a team 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.
On behalf of our judges who love experiencing your business through your eyes, welcome to the NSW Tourism Awards. We're looking forward to seeing your entry!"
"The NSW Tourism Awards have been synonymous with industry development opportunities while also recognising excellence in the industry.” Lori Modde, a recognised leader in tourism in New South Wales, and Chair of the NSW Tourism Association, has highlighted the significant role of the NSW Tourism Awards in advancing the industry.
I can’
"The NSW Tourism Awards have been synonymous with industry development opportunities while also recognising excellence in the industry.” Lori Modde, a recognised leader in tourism in New South Wales, and 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. "
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.
26 April 2024
7th July 2024
21st August 2024
6th September 2024
28th November 2024
With 30 business categories in NSW Tourism Awards, there is a category for tourism businesses of all shapes and sizes.
Before you enter the awards, it’s important that you first read the rules and regulations.
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 21 August 2024.
Submit your final submission via the Quality Tourism online portal by 6 September 2024.
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—keep an eye on our website for the date to be announced!
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.
The Voice of the Visitor Economy in NSW
Copyright © 2024 Tourism Excellence NSW - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by the Tourism Industry
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.