The Observatory Port Macquarie won gold in the deluxe accommodation category in the NSW Tourism Awards on November 24.

Sea Acres Rainforest Centre snared silver in the visitor information services category, while Telegraph Retreat Cottages took home silver in the hosted accommodation category.

The Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail won bronze in the tourist attractions category.

The awards promote and reward tourism businesses that demonstrate outstanding achievement and success throughout the year.

The Observatory Port Macquarie has strong track record in the NSW Tourism Awards and has now added a gold win in the deluxe accommodation category for the second consecutive year.

Chris and Trish Denny were immensely satisfied with the win.

They say entering the tourism awards encourages innovation by looking at all aspects of the business.

The couple believes in the triple bottom line concept of people, planet, profit as an underlying business principle.

“To achieve success you have to consider your people, and our people are not only the guests but also the staff, and you have to consider the environment,” Mr Denny said.

“If you get those two right, profit will naturally follow.”

Meanwhile, NSW Environment Minister Mark Speakman said Sea Acres Rainforest Centre was a very worthy recipient of silver in the visitor services category against some stiff competition.

“I was very impressed by Sea Acres when I visited last year, and I congratulate all of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service staff involved in the centre and invite everyone to come and have a look at this gem of a facility,” he said.

Telegraph Retreat Cottages owner manager Melanie Marshall said Telegraph Retreat Cottages were delighted to receive the silver award for hosted accommodation.

“Guest feedback and comments are fantastic but it is a real honour, especially as a small family-run business to receive such an accolade from our industry peers,” she said.

Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams said our region had so much on offer for domestic and international visitors and she was delighted that our wonderful tourism products were recognised at this year’s NSW Tourism Awards.

NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres said the NSW Tourism Awards highlighted how the state’s finest tourism operators continued to attract people to stay, play and enjoy areas across the state.

The awards are managed by the tourism industry division of the NSW Business Chamber and supported by Destination NSW.

NSW Business Chamber’s Stephen Cartwright said the winners and finalists should be incredibly proud to be acknowledged as the leading tourism businesses in NSW.

State winners go to the Australian Tourism Awards.