Australia’s original hot air balloon business, Balloon Aloft has been included as a finalist in the 2013 NSW Tourism Awards announced earlier this month by award organisers Tourism Industry Council NSW.

The finalists came from a range of different tourism areas with Balloon Aloft entering in the adventure tourism category.

Company General Manager, Matthew Scaife said the Balloon Aloft team was thrilled to be named as a finalist in the awards which celebrates and acknowledges outstanding achievement and success in the tourism industry. “We see the Awards as an opportunity to review our business and to continue to look for ways of improving what we do,” he said.

The company has also been nominated for the NSW Tourism Awards People's Choice Award where the general public has the opportunity to vote for their favourite tourism business or experience.

There are a host of great travel prizes on offer for those who vote in the People’s Choice Awards including a Roar & Snore – Taronga Zoo experience and a Family pass to the Australian Reptile Park.

Winners of the Awards will be announced at a special NSW Tourism Awards Gala Ceremony to be held at Royal Randwick on Thursday 28 November.

To vote for Balloon Aloft and other Hunter Valley operators who are in the running for the People's Choice Award please go to www.nswtourismawards.mobi