Managed by the Tourism Industry division of the NSW Business Chamber and supported by Destination NSW, the NSW Tourism Awards celebrate and acknowledge tourism businesses that demonstrate outstanding achievement throughout the year.

The Hastings finalists are the Koala Preservation Society - Port Macquarie Koala Hospital (Ecotourism); Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail  (Cultural Tourism); Port Macquarie Museum (Cultural Tourism); NRMA Port Macquarie Breakwall Holiday Park (Caravan and Holiday Parks); Sails Port Macquarie by Rydges (Deluxe Accommodation) and Macquarie Waters Boutique Apartment Hotel (Self-contained Accommodation).

“The NSW Tourism Awards celebrates the hard work and commitment shown by NSW tourism operators and businesses over the past 12 months.,” Industry Development Manager, Tourism Industry Division - NSW Business Chamber, Nicole O’Donnell said.

“The program is about developing our industry, as a whole, encouraging excellence and improvement, and all entrants should be congratulated. The judges have been incredibly impressed by the high calibre of entries in this year’s program.”

In 2018, there were 144 entrants across 26 categories. Of those entrants, there are 125 finalists.

“It is great to see so many finalists, with 24 coming from the Mid North Coast, this shows that our tourism businesses and attractions are of the highest standard”, said Kellon Beard Regional Manager, Mid North Coast NSW Business Chamber.

Winners will be announced at the NSW Tourism Awards Presentation Night on Thursday, November 22 at Luna Park, Sydney. 

Winners from 25 aligned national categories will then represent NSW at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards on Friday, March 1, 2019 in Launceston.