Up to 100 tourism operators from across NSW are expected to attend the first Country and Outback Regional Tourism Awards hosted in Orange.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The awards have been running for 14 years at venues around NSW.
Regional Tourism awards chair Jane Barnes said the awards had helped develop tourist businesses.
“Since the inception, the awards have been credited for elevating many regional tourism businesses to achieve statewide and national acclaim,” she said.
The awards will be held at The Greenhouse at the Orange Ex-Services’ Club on Saturday, July 28.
Submissions close on May 25 with the finalists to be announced on Wednesday July 4.
Orange City Council Tourism manager Glenn Mickle said it was an opportunity for the rest of the state to focus on Orange.
“It is a great opportunity for our local operators to be involved,” he said.
“It will bring 50-100 of the best tourism operators to Orange.”
He said it was likely a development seminar promoting the Orange region would be held the day before the ceremony.
Lakeview Luxury Retreat owners Pam and Trevor King are likely to be among Orange operators that will enter the awards this year.
“We’ve won two awards, in 2015 for hosted accommodation and in 2016 for self-contained accommodation,” Mr King said.
Award winners move onto state and national competitions.
“We’ve won two years and we’ve won bronze and silver at the NSW level,” he said.
Orange mayor Reg Kidd said it was a great way to showcase the region.
“This is great news for Orange and it shows how excellent results can be achieved when businesses take a collaborative approach to events,” he said.
The general manager of Destination Country and Outback Rhonda Taylor urged businesses to enter.
“It is an opportunity for the industry to come together and celebrate business excellence,” she said.