New........ten weeks into the job..........NSW Tourism Minister Jodi McKay was the host at last night’s NSW tourism awards, a glittering and excellently organised event at Sydney’s Star City, Jodi seeming to breathe new life into the State’s tourism industry.

Celebrating  tourism excellent in businesses across the state, seven hundred or so of the good and the great of the tourism industry heard Jodi congratulating tourism operators and promising that she would dedicate her time to strengthen the industry and increase competition by implementing fresh initiatives.

Larry Emdur was MC and John McKernan, Chairman of the 2008 Judging Panel announced a new format with awards in three categories, the winner getting Gold with Silver and Bronze awards replacing what was formerly Distinction.

The Wendy O’Donohue Young Achiever in Tourism Award and San Fiszman Prize was won by Nora McWilliam in recognition for her dedication and commitment to her work in the Hunter Valley.

And the winners are: -

Major Tourist Attraction - BridgeClimb

Tourist Attractions - Pet Porpoise Pool

Major Festivals and Events – Sydney Royal Easter Show

Festivals and Events - CountryLink Parkes Elvis Festival

Ecotourism - Montague Island Tours

Heritage and Cultural Tourism  - Temora Aviation Museum

Indigenous Tourism - Booderee National Park

Specialised Tourism Services  - two eight two eight

Visitor Information and Services - Clarence River Tourism

Meetings and Business Tourism  - Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley Resort

Major Tour and/or Transport Operators - AAT Kings Sydney Sightseeing

 Tour and/or Transport Operators - Boutique Wine Tours

Adventure Tourism - EastSail Corporate Incentive Events & Adventure Sailing

Tourism Marketing - TakeABreak.com.au

Tourism Education and Training - Travel 2153, Western Sydney Institute, TAFE NSW

Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services - breeze Restaurant & Bar

Tourism Wineries - Bimbadgen Estate

Tourist and Caravan Parks - Lane Cove River Tourist Park

Backpacker Accommodation - Sydney Central YHA

Hosted Accommodation Crystal Creek Meadows Luxury Cottages & Spa Retreat

Unique Accommodation - EastSail Overnight Indulgence/Overnight Opulence

Standard Accommodation - The Old Vic Inn Historic Guesthouse

Deluxe Accommodation – Shoal Bay Resort and Spa

Luxury Accommodation - Tower Lodge

New Tourism Development - Greater Blue Mountains Drive

Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism - Lane Cove River Tourist Park

Outstanding Contribution by an Individual  - John Thorpe

Outstanding Contribution to Regional Tourism by an Individual - Julie-Anne Wuttke

A Report by The Mole