Four Orange businesses have been announced as finalists in the NSW Tourism Awards.
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Heifer Station Wines, Byng Street Boutique Hotel, Country Food Trails and Orange360 all made the selective cut in the NSW Tourism Industry Council's awards for 2021.
The state's peak tourism organisation made the announcement Monday, after what had been a particularly challenging year for tourism operators.
It's not the first time Heifer Station Wines has been recognised by the prestigious tourism body, with the local winery winning the gold medal in the 'Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries' category in 2018 and then again in 2019.
"We're so excited, especially after such a tough year," Heifer Station Wines owner Michelle Stivens said.
"To say we're proud to still be at the top of our game, especially after the last two years, would be a huge understatement."
With the winery being among four businesses to make the tourism awards shortlist, Mrs Stivens said it was a good indication of how popular Orange was becoming as a tourism destination.
Fellow tourism operator Orange360 also made the awards' selective cut, in the 'Tourism Marketing and Campaigns' category for their 'Cool Summer' campaign.
General manager Caddie Marshall said it had been aimed at the millennial market and achieved a total media read of over 24 million impressions.
"[It] was a showcase of the breadth of attractions that position our region as a cool alternative in summer, a traditionally quieter period for the region's tourism and hospitality operators. We'll again be utilising Cool Summer this year to invite travellers to the region and escape the crowds on the coast this Summer," she said.
Ms Marshall added that it was a "huge achievement" for the region with four local businesses all making it to the NSW Tourism Awards' finalist stage in their respective categories.
"[It] really drives home the hard work that our local tourism operators are investing to create a first-class destination experience for visitors," she said.
"Last year and certainly earlier this year, we saw an unprecedented number of tourists travel to the Orange region and there are already strong indications that the rest of this year will be just as busy with the return of regional travel with optimism that this will carry us forward into 2022.
"Our local tourism operators are committed to developing the Orange region as a top tourism destination in Australia so it's exciting to see four local businesses recognised as best in class across the state."
Country Food Trails director Nicole Farrell said she was thrilled to be a finalist in the 'New Tourism Business' category: "As a new tourism business, it's been challenging but also hugely rewarding to meet so many wonderful visitors and share our beautiful region with them."
Byng Street Boutique Hotel owners Kristen and Thomas Nock added that they were very proud to received the nod of recognition in the 'Deluxe Accommodation' category just two years after they had commenced operations.
The NSW Tourism Award winners will be announced at a gala dinner at Sydney's Luna Park on February 3, 2022.
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