* P R E S S R E L E A S E *

GREATER SYDNEY PUTS ON A SHOW!

Wednesday 4th August was the night of nights for 34 finalists in the Greater Sydney Tourism Awards. This inaugural event was held at Castle Hill RSL with 220 guests in attendance. 15 businesses were awarded the grand achievement of a Gold Award which gives them automatic finalist status for the NSW Tourism Awards in November 2010.

The process was solid with 12 judges and fully audited by Baker & Baptist Pty Ltd. The Tourism Awards are designed to not only recognise achievements but to provide valuable feedback to the businesses on how to improve their businesses for a greater return.

WestLink M7 was the principle supporter of this year’s event and is an advocate of the importance of visitors to Greater Sydney. John Gardiner, General Manager of Westlink M7 said today, “The M7 is an important part of Sydney’s infrastructure and road network, linking the Greater West with the South and North West of Sydney. The M7 makes it easy for visitors to visit local tourism attractions such as the Olympic sites, Western Sydney Parklands and Hawkesbury Harvest to name a few”.

We are pleased to be the Principle Partner in the inaugural 2010 Greater Sydney Tourism Awards, which recognises the achievements of local tourism businesses in the Greater Sydney area.”

Chairman of the Greater Sydney Tourism Inc, Mr Paul Page, congratulated the winners and said “This event has managed to gain great recognition for the businesses in the Greater Sydney area that sometimes are placed in a hard task of competing with the city locations”. Paul continued to say it was a great night and it was wonderful to see so many people and businesses being part of celebrating the tourism industry.

The Winners on the night were:

Adventure Tourism
GOLD - Cloud 9 Balloon Flights
SILVER - Royal Coast Walks

Backpacker Accommodation
BRONZE - Cronulla YHA

Greater Sydney Champion Award
GOLD - Hawkesbury Harvest
SILVER - Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre
BRONZE - Penrith White Water Rafting

Deluxe Accommodation
SILVER - Chifley Hotel, Eastern Creek
BRONZE - Chifley Hotel, Penrith

Festivals & Events
Award of Commendation - Playground Weekender Festival, Wisemans Ferry
GOLD - Golden Slipper Festival 2010

Heritage & Culture
GOLD - Hawkesbury Regional Musuem
SILVER - Ebenezer Church
BRONZE - Elizabeth Farm

Hosted Accommodation
GOLD - Ossian Hall Valley Retreat
SILVER - Ghost Hill Road
BRONZE - Oyster Bay B&B

Indigenous Tourism
GOLD - Cronulla Cruises – Tour of Djeebahn

Meetings & Business Tourism
GOLD - Vision Valley Conference & Leisure Centre

Ecotourism
GOLD - Lane Cove River Tourist Park

New Tourism Development
Award of Commendation - Mungerie House, Rouse Hill

Specialised Tourism Services
BRONZE - Cronulla Houseboats & Boat Hire

Tour & Transport
GOLD - Cronulla & National Park Ferry Services
SILVER - Good Az Gold Tours & Transport

Tourism Restaurants and Catering
SILVER - Glenorie Bakery

Tourist Attractions
GOLD - Featherdale Wildlife Park

Tourism Training & Education
GOLD - Travel 2153, TAFE WSI

Caravan & Tourist Parks
GOLD - Lane Cove River Tourist Park
SILVER - Del Rio Resort, Wisemans Ferry

Tourist Pubs
Award of Commendation - The Mean Fiddler

Unique Accommodation
BRONZE - Loxley on Bellbird Hill
Award of Commendation - Mowbray Park Farmstay

Visitor Information Services
GOLD - Penrith Valley Visitor Information Centre
Award of Commendation - Roughley House Visitor Information Centre

People's Choice Award
GOLD - Golden Slipper Festival, 2010
SILVER - Ebenezer Church

Outstanding Contribution by an Individual
GOLD - Graeme Dube of Connex West and the Sydney Visitor Guide

Background

Greater Sydney Tourism Awards are an opportunity for tourism operators of attractions and businesses to gain an insight into their industry, their business, achieve recognition for their success and promote tourism within their region. The Greater Sydney Tourism Awards are awarded via a rigorous and fair assessment and judging process. The Judging panel is made up of 12 judges, with a cross section of geographical areas within Greater Sydney. The process is audited by Baker & Baptist. All Gold award winners will proceed to the NSW State Awards as an automatic Finalist.

Images AVAILABLE

More information:
Lori Modde - Event Manager, or
Sarah Kenny Event Co-ordinator -

Greater Sydney Tourism Awards
Managed and run by Lorick Management Pty Ltd

PO Box 222
Galston NSW 2159
P: 02 9656 1597
F: 02 9656 1295
www.greatersydney.org.au