BOATSHED BLOG

SOUTH COAST WINNERS ANNOUNCED!
The South Coast NSW Tourism Awards Gala Dinner was held on Wednesday 17th August at the Novotel Wollongong Northbeach, where 44 finalists eagerly awaited the announcement of the winners for 2011. The winners of which are now automatic finalists in the NSW Tourism Awards in November 2011.

“Congratulations must go to all the finalists as well as our winners” said Rob Pollock, Chair of the South Coast Regional Tourism Organisation (SCRTO). “This year we worked with the Sydney Business School at the University of Wollongong to provide a fair and high scrutiny judging and auditing process. To be a finalist is a major achievement”.

The evening was attended by over 200 tourism industry representatives from all across the South Coast region, from Merimbula & Eden, through to Batemans Bay, Jervis Bay and Wollongong. The Gala Dinner was an evening that epitomised the excellence, passion and spirit that makes the tourism industry on the NSW South Coast shine.

The Tourism Awards are designed to not only recognise achievements but to provide valuable feedback to the businesses on how to improve their business activities. “We believe in the awards to provide an avenue for celebration of our industry but also to provide ‘one on one’ assistance to our industry to help them to understand challenges and opportunities that lie ahead” said Lori Modde, CEO of SCRTO. “This is the cheapest business advice any small business can get and those that have entered have appreciated the process immensely”.

The winners of the South Coast Tourism Awards 2011 are as follows:

Major Tourist Attractions – Winner - Nan Tien Temple

Tourist Attractions – Winner - Mogo Zoo

Festivals and Events – Winner - South Coast Caravan, Camping & Holiday Expo

Award of Community and Innovation awarded to Narooma Oyster Festival

Heritage and Cultural Tourism - Hall of Fame - Gold Rush Colony

Specialised Tourism Services - Winner - Tuross Boatshed and Café

Visitor Information and Services - Winner - Kiama Visitor Information Centre

Award of Innovation awarded to The next revolution; Visitor Services 2.0 – Wollongong

Meetings and Business - Winner - Novotel Wollongong Northbeach

Tour and Transport Operators- Winner - Soul Quest Travel

Hall of Fame - Dolphin Watch Cruises

Adventure Tourism - Winner - Region X Kayak Experiences

Award of Environmental Sustainability - Total Eco Adventures

Tourism Marketing - Winner - We Love the Gong

Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services - Winner - Cupitts Winery

Award of Encouragement awarded to Bodalla Dairy Shed

Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Boutique Breweries - Winner - Silos Estate

Hall of Fame - Coolangatta Estate

Tourist & Caravan Parks - Award of Community Involvement awarded to Currarong Beachside Tourist Park

Hosted Accommodation - Winner - Mollymook Beach Waterfront

Unique Accommodation - Winner - The Bower at Broulee

Standard Accommodation - Hall of Fame - Ibis Wollongong

Deluxe Accommodation - Winner - Tathra Beachhouse Apartments

Award of Environmental Sustainability awarded to Novotel Wollongong Northbeach

New Tourism Development - Winner - Eco Extreme Wilderness Cruise

Sustainable Tourism - Winner - Beachcomber Tourist Park

Tourist Pubs - Award of Encouragement - Towradgi Beach Hotel

Registered Clubs - Winner - Warilla Recreation and Bowls Club

South Coast Business Advance Award - Winner - Ibis Wollongong

South Coast Champion Award - Winner - Nan Tien Temple

Outstanding Contribution to the Tourism Industry on the South Coast by an Individual -

Winner - Michael Hough


Some of the winners will go on to represent the South Coast at NSW Tourism Awards and potentially the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards should they win their category at the state level.

Tuross Boatshed & Cafe now progress to the NSW Awards.
The Management and staff would like to thank Eurobodalla Tourism for their support .