NSW TOURISM AWARDS 2022 WINNERS

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE IN OUR AMAZING INDUSTRY AND CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS

2022 TOURISM AWARDS WINNERS

HALL OF FAME 2022

Congratulations to our newest inductee
Riverside Holiday Resort Urunga (Excellence in Accessible Tourism)

UNIQUE ACCOMMODATION

Gold:  Zoofari Lodge, Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo
Silver: Glenayr Farm Mudgee
Bronze: Berger Houseboat Holidays, Tweed Heads

Zoofai Lodge

HONORARY AWARDS 2022

JUDGES' TOURISM STAR AWARD

The Tourism Star awards were given to those organisations who have showed that special edge this year. They are the entries that really connect, be it because of their commitment, innovative approach and their resilience.

Joint winner
Glenayr Farm, Mudgee

Glenayr Farm demonstrated a deep commitment and passion for their business. The judges were fully engaged with the passion and honesty in their submission and even laughed at the opening sentence. The judges could really feel the personal journey of their business through their developments and innovations as they grew their business. Their dedicated focus on authentic responsible tourism was a highlight as is their commitment to provide an exceptional guest experience.

Joint winner
Love Lord Howe

Love Lord Howe was a standout.  The sheer determination of this business owner to overcome challenges in startup, which included advocating and negotiating for permission to get started, as well as facing some significant logistical challenges. A savvy operator who has used these challenges as advantages, developing a flexible workforce and strong partnerships.  We were all so impressed and inspired by the passion shown for the business and the tourism industry.

DEAN GORDDARD AWARD FOR
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION BY AN INDIVIDUAL

Donna Carrier, Bent on Food

Donna Carrier is a hospitality and tourism entrepreneur with a passion for agritourism and a dedication to her community.  For nearly two decades, Donna has been an advocate and promoter of Food Tourism across the Mid North Coast.

You may know Donna through Bent on Food, a regional café and catering company she founded that holds over 35 National, State, Regional and local awards in Tourism, Restaurant & Catering and Business programs.

Donna has leveraged Bent on Food as a platform to grow visitation in the region with dedicated attraction strategies and clever partnerships. This has been instrumental in the development of the visitor economy to the small town of Wingham and the region.  Donna has also invested in the community and the industry through work placements and community support initiatives.

But well beyond her dedication and commitment to her business and the community, her time and talent has been invested into growing the visitor economy in Wingham and across the region.

Donna has been a member of the inaugural Barrington Coast Destination Management Reference Group, and has been actively involved in the development of all MidCoast Council’s major tourism strategies.

Donna has judged regional and State Tourism, Business, Accommodation and AHA awards for many years. Donna was a founding Director of Destination North Coast until June 2022 and held a seat on the Board of the North Coast Destination Network. Donna also sits on the MidCoast Council Tourism Advisory committee and was President of Wingham Chamber of Commerce for seven years.

Donna generously shares her knowledge through TAFE training programs and mentoring other business owners in the industry, including our tourism peers in Norfolk Island. She has supported the development and co-ordinated of events across the region, further driving the visitor economy for the region.

Her dedication is summed up beautifully by a former recipient of this award; ‘Donna is one of the most passionate, hardworking tourism operators on the North Coast who genuinely advocates for her local and regional area.‘