Blue Mountains. Chance to win gold

The Blue Mountains tourism industry has earned recognition at the highest level with three finalists from the region nominated to win gold at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards to be held in Perth. The Magic of Jenolan (festivals and events category), Old Leura Dairy (unique accommodation category) and Garry Crockett (outstanding contribution by an individual to tourism category) qualified for the national awards after being one of five winners at the NSW Tourism Awards held last year.

Region. Tourism gold

Gold awards were made to the following in the Greater Sydney Tourism Awards: Penrith Valley Visitor Information Centre in the tourism services category; Featherdale Wildlife Park, at Doonside, for best tourist attraction in Sydney; Hawkesbury Harvest won the Greater Sydney Champion Award; the Golden Slipper Festival 2010 won the festivals and events category; Hawkesbury Regional Museum for heritage and culture; Travel 2153, TAFE Western Sydney Institute for tourism training and education; Graeme Dube of Connex West and the Sydney Visitor Guide the outstanding contribution by an individual category, and the Golden Slipper Festival 2010 as the people’s choice. These winners become finalists in the NSW Tourism Awards to be held at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse on November 19.

Parramatta. Tourist centre nominated

The Parramatta Visitor Information Centre has been nominated as a finalist in the inaugural Greater Sydney Tourism Awards, which recognises the achievements of local tourism businesses in the Greater Sydney area. Parramatta City Council’s Visitor Information Centre is one of 38 finalists from 64 nominations. Winners of the awards will be announced on August 4, at the Castle Hill RSL Club.

Parramatta. City to host tourism awards

The Tourism Industry Council NSW said the 2010 NSW Tourism Awards for Excellence would be held at the Grand Pavilion, Rosehill Gardens, on Friday, November 19. This is the first time the event has been held outside the Sydney CBD. Parramatta City Council Lord Mayor, Paul Garrard, said the decision was a “major win” for the city. The following businesses helped secure the event for Parramatta: Capital Corporation, Dial Before You Dig, Dracon Civil, Parramatta Chamber of Commerce, Parramatta Leagues Club, Rheem, Shell Refinery (Australia) Pty Ltd, Solaris Paper Pty Ltd and Sydney Turf Club.

Blue Mountains. School wins tourism award

The Leura-based, Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School, won the coveted national award in the Tourism Education and Training category, at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, in Hobart, defeating an impressive array of finalists including Griffith University, Queensland and the University of South Australia. Blue Mountains Lithgow and Oberon Tourism Limited (BMLOT) chairman, Randall Walker, congratulated the school for its success and its economic contribution to the greater region. He said international and domestic students and their visiting families and friends would inject more than $3 million annually into the local economy.

Blue Mountains. Tourism awards medal haul

The Blue Mountains has cleaned up at the 2009 NSW Tourism Awards with the region claiming a stunning cache of six gold, 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,” said Blue Mountains Tourism chairman, Randall Walker, in the Blue Mountains Gazette.. Gold awards: Blue Mountains National Park, Oberon Visitor Information Centre, Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School and Old Leura Dairy. Silver awards: Jenolan Caves and Old Leura Dairy. Bronze award: Jenolan Caves. Outstanding Contribution by an Individual: Philip Hammon, CEO, of scenic World, Blue Mountains.