Hunter Valley shines at Hunter & Central Coast Awards for Excellence in Tourism
Tourism professionals gathered at Cypress Lakes Resort Hunter Valley on Thursday 30th August, for the 2012 Hunter & Central Coast Awards for Excellence in Tourism.
The Hunter & Central Coast Tourism industry celebrated the achievements of a number of individuals and businesses whom have dedicated themselves to and have excelled in the provision of high calibre tourism services.
Winners were announced in 27 categories with an additional 11 silver awards & 4 bronze awards being recognised.
Many Hunter Valley individuals & businesses were recognised on the night by securing awards including two of the most prestigious awards of Outstanding Contribution by an Individual & Young Achiever in Tourism going to Hunter Valley industry peers.
Philip Hele (Hunter Resort) was honoured for his ‘Outstanding Contribution to Tourism’, whilst Belinda Stapleton (Spicers Vineyards Estate) took out the award of ‘Young Achiever in Tourism’.
For a full list of winners on the night, please see below:
Adventure Tourism
Gold: State Forests of the Watagan Mountains
Silver: Tree Top Adventure Park
Tour and/or Transport Operators
Gold: Boutique Tours Australia
Silver: Kangariffic Tours
Heritage & Cultural Tourism
Gold: Newcastle Ghost Tours
Ecotourism
Gold: Strickland State Forest
Tourist Attractions
Gold: Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures
Silver: Blackbutt Reserve
Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Boutique Breweries
Gold: Wyndham Estate
Silver: Bimbadgen Estate
Tourist Pubs
Gold: Shoal Bay Country Club Hotel
Silver: Kincumber Hotel
Tourist and Caravan Parks
Gold: Stockton Beach Holiday Park
Festivals & Events
Gold: Newcastle, Caravan, Camping & Holiday Expo
Silver: Wyndham Estate, Opera in the Vineyards
Bronze: 5 Lands Walk
Meetings & Business Tourism
Gold: Kooindah Waters Gold & Spa Resort
Silver: Scone Motor Inn & Conference Centre
Bronze: Shoal Bay Resort and Spa
Major Tour&/or Transport Operators
Gold: Moonshadow Cruises
Bronze: Northern Highland Travel
Major Festivals & Events
Gold: Surfest 2012
Silver: CMC Rocks the Hunter 2012
Visitor Information & Services
Gold: Singleton Visitor Information & Enterprise Centre
Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services
Gold: Margan Restaurant
Silver: Restaurant Botanica
Bronze: Esca Bimbadgen
New Tourism Development
Gold: Newcastle Museum
Tourism Marketing
Gold: Stay in the Vines
Silver: Brand Hunter Valley
Hosted Accommodation
Gold: Segenhoe Inn Luxury Boutique Hotel & B&B
Silver: Sunrise Bed & Breakfast
Unique Accommodation
Gold: Somewhere Unique
Deluxe Accommodation
Gold: Shoal Bay Resort & Spa
Silver: The Vintry
Luxury Accommodation
Gold: Bells at Killcare
Rising Star
Gold: Cassie Mackay
Excellence in Customer Service
Sharon Paterson, Front Office Supervisor, Spicers Vineyards Estate
Outstanding Ambassador in Tourism
Newcastle Airport Ambassadors
Tourism & Hospitality Apprentice or Trainee of the Year
Gold: Sophie Hedges, Tourism Trainee, Hunter Valley Hotel Academy
Young Achiever of the Year
Gold: Belinda Stapleton, Managing Director, Spicers Vineyards Estate
Outstanding Contribution to Regional Tourism by an Individual
Gold: Mark Stratford, Major Tourism & Events Developer, City of Newcastle
Outstanding Contribution to Tourism by an Individual
Gold: Philip Hele, General Manager, Hunter Resort