COFFS Coast tourism offers and business owners were voted tops across numerous categories at the North Coast Tourism Awards.

The gold, silver and bronze award winners were announced on Thursday 27 July at Plantation House, part of Tropical Fruit World, in the Tweed.

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Presented in a partnership between Business NSW and Destination North Coast, the awards gala dinner celebrated the winners and all finalists who craft, curate and operate the tourism offerings that draw visitors to their region.

The awards night not only recognises excellence in tourism, it brings together business leaders to celebrate success.

Destination North Coast general manager Michael Thurston said this year’s North Coast Tourism Symposium and North Coast Tourism Awards had been hugely successful with record crowds.

“The North Coast Tourism Awards were in huge demand off the back of a record number of entrants for this year’s awards,” said Mr Thurston.

“The awards provide a fantastic opportunity for our industry to come together and celebrate individual success in addition to what we have collectively achieved over the previous year generating 10.8 percent of jobs on the North Coast whilst injecting $5.4 billion into the local economy,” he said.

Congratulations go to the following Coffs Harbour-based award winners who play a vital role in our local tourism industry.

Gold Award winners are: Excellence in Cultural Tourism – Giingan Gumbaynggirr Cultural Experience; Business Event Venue of the Year – Pacific Bay Resort and Outstanding Young Tourism Business Leader – Lindsay Russell from Broken Open Productions.

Lindsay said she had a profound love for the Coffs Coast and wanted to see it flourish.

“Live music and events act as extraordinary catalysts for boosting tourism.

“My passion lies in producing and promoting unique events while encouraging collaborations across the region,” she said.

“By cultivating a vibrant cultural scene and strengthening industry efforts, we can fuel sustainable tourism growth, showcasing the best of what the Coffs Coast has to offer,” she said.

Coffs Coast Silver Award winners are: Tourist Attraction of the Year – The Big Banana Fun Park and Excellence in Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries – Woopi Brewing Co.

There are two Silver Award wins for the Observatory Holiday Apartments team.

Outstanding Young Tourism Business Leader goes to Lydia Crossingham and Outstanding Tourism Business Leader goes to Neil Manson.

Reflections Holiday Park, Urunga, won Bronze in Excellence in Camping, Glamping and/or Caravanning.

A team of twenty people from the tourism industry along with four members of Business NSW volunteered their time to the North Coast Tourism Awards judging process.

These judges were thanked for bringing their passion, enthusiasm and integrity to the role.

By Andrea FERRARI