Coffs Coast Tourism a Clear Winner

Coffs Coast tourism operators, attractions and promoters were centre stage at last week’s 2018 North Coast Regional Tourism Awards coming away with a total of 15 awards.

In front of an audience of over 200 from throughout the North Coast region, seven Coffs Coast businesses were named Gold Award winners, three received Silver and two got a Bronze and Encouragement accolade. In addition, three local businesses – The Big Banana Fun Park, BIG4 Park Beach Holiday Park and State Forest of the Coffs Coast – were inducted into the Hall of Fame having won their respective categories three years in a row.

As well as the BIG4 Park Beach Holiday Park induction, Council’s own Destination Coffs Coast team won the top award in the destination marketing category.

“I was very, very proud to see so many local businesses get the recognition they richly deserve for their commitment and the excellent service they provide to visitors to our region,” said Coffs Harbour Mayor, Councillor Denise Knight, who presented some of the awards on the night.

“These awards recognise the best parks, products and services the industry in NSW has to offer, so it was doubly fantastic to see Council’s Holiday Park and Destination Coffs Coast teams receive top awards.

“I wish the seven Gold Award winners and others the very best of luck at the State Awards later this year.”

The 2018 North Coast Regional Tourism Awards  provide tourism organisations and individuals with the opportunity to gain an insight into their industry, their business, achieve recognition for their success and promote tourism within their region. One of the main focus points of the awards is to develop quality regional tourism products and provide businesses with the opportunity to benchmark their products and identify opportunities for personal and professional development.

(Pictured are the Destination Coffs Coast Team – Susan Colby, Stephen Saunders, Mandy Nicol, Fiona Barden and Cheryl Attwood with their Gold Award.

The Coffs Coast winners of the 2018 North Coast Regional Tourism Awards were:

Tourist Attractions :

Gold: NSW State Forests Sealy Lookout Bronze: The Big Banana Fun Park

Self-Contained Accommodation:

Gold: Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga

Cultural Tourism:   

Encouragement: Bunker Cartoon Gallery

Destination Marketing:

Gold: Destination Coffs Coast

New Tourism Business:

Gold: Open Air Picnics, Sawtell 

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tourism:

Gold: Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation Silver: Wajaana  Yaam Adventure Tours

Excellence in Food Tourism:

Gold: The Cheesemaking Workshop

Ecotourism:  

Standard Accommodation:

Gold: Heritage Hotel Motel Dorrigo

Festivals and Events:

Silver: Woolgoolga Curryfest

Hall of Fame Inductees :

The Big Banana Fun Park BIG4 Park Beach Holiday Park State Forest of the Coffs Coast