EVERYONE, including NSW Tourism, loves Port Macquarie’s Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail which won silver for Cultural Tourism at the 2018 NSW Tourism Awards on November 22.
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Hello Koalas was a finalist in both the Tourist Attractions and Cultural Tourism sections.
Project director Margret Meagher said she was delighted to gain the recognition for Port Macquarie, saying “we live in paradise”.
She said it was also important acknowledgement for the business sponsors of the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail and the talented artists involved in creating each unique koala on the growing trail.
“It’s their backing and creativity which allow us to create this really strong message about koala conservation,” Ms Meagher said.
“Port Macquarie-Hastings has the largest koala population on the east coast but, as in other areas of NSW, it is in decline and raising awareness is a very important step in halting this.”
The Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail currently comprises 62 one-metre high individually designed and handpainted koala characters dotted across the region, encouraging people to explore.
Three more koalas are about to be revealed this summer.
Yesterday’s win is not the first win for Hello Koalas, which took home gold for Cultural Tourism at last year’s presentation, and earlier this year won gold in the same category in the North Coast Regional Tourism Awards, and silver as one of the region’s leading tourist attractions.
Hello Koalas is an Arts and Health Australia project, conceived by its executive director, Margret Meagher.
Also on the winner’s list was Macquarie Waters Boutique Apartment Hotel taking out silver for Self Contained Accommodation.
Sails Port Macquarie by Rydges was a bronze winner in the Deluxe Accommodation category.
Internationally acclaimed Port Macquarie Koala Hospital was awarded a highly commended for Ecotourism.
Managed by the Tourism Industry division of the NSW Business Chamber, the state’s peak business organisation, and proudly supported by the NSW Government, the NSW Tourism Awards celebrate and acknowledge tourism excellence in NSW.
Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall congratulated the winners and said they exemplify the high standard and diverse range of tourism experiences on offer in NSW.
“Tourism is big business and it’s a vital industry to our State’s economy so to be recognised at the NSW Tourism Awards is an outstanding achievement and I thank all of the winners for their tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to offering the very best tourism and events experiences,” Mr Marshall said.
“The NSW Visitor Economy is the envy of every other State, with the greatest share of domestic and international visitors, visitor nights and expenditure, and an impressive calendar of major events across Sydney and rural and regional NSW.”
NSW Business Chamber Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Cartwright, congratulated this year’s winners for their outstanding performance.
“This year’s winners and finalists should be incredibly proud to be acknowledged as the leading tourism businesses in NSW. NSW has a diverse range of tourism businesses, which is reflected in the entrants and winners in the Awards program.”
“This year has seen a 21 per cent increase in entrants from 2017 and the judges were impressed by the high standard of entries showcasing a diverse array of talent, passion and innovative drive that continues to ensure our state’s tourism industry thrives.”
All winners continue on to the QANTAS Australian Tourism Awards in March 2019.