The gala presentation was held on Wednesday, October 26, with around 240 people turning out to celebrate the tourism industry in the Shoalhaven.

Gold in the Tour and/or Transport Operators went to Dolphin Watch Cruises, Huskisson.

The Family Friendly Award went to South Coast Nannies, Nowra and top spot in the Tourism Small Business Operator went to Discover Jervis Bay, Huskisson.

The Young Achiever in Tourism was taken out by Brent Strong, apprentice chef at Silos Restaurant, Jaspers Brush.

Outstanding Contribution to South Coast Tourism by an Individual was jointly awarded to Jackie Kay and Chris Mitchell, Nowra for their contribution, dedication and commitment to Inclusive Tourism on the South Coast.

The event was held in Albion Park and as the premier tourism event on the South Coast, it’s a celebration of the the hard work done by thousands of tourism operators and businesses from Shellharbour to Eden.

“The standard of entry was high and demonstrated the diversity, depth and breadth of the tourism industry,” ​Catherine Shields, Chair of the South Coast Regional Tourism Organisation said. 

The objective of the tourism awards is to recognise those businesses who strive to offer the best possible product and the best possible service to the visitors to the South Coast.

In 2013-14, the tourism industry contributed an estimated $2.0 billion to the South Coast regional economy (8.3 per cent of South Coast’s gross regional product) and directly employed approximately 13,600 people (6.7 per cent of South Coast’s regional employment).

The majority (54 per cent) of visitor consumption in the South Coast was contributed to intrastate overnight visitors ($1.5 billion).

The Gold Winners in the 2016 South Coast Regional Tourism Awards:

Tourist Attractions: Gondwana Coast Fossil Walk, Ulladulla

Event or Festival: Cobargo Folk Festival

Tour and/or Transport Operators: Dolphin Watch Cruises, Huskisson

Ecotourism: Kiah Wilderness Tours, Sapphire Coast

Heritage and/or Cultural Tourism: Eden Killer Whale Museum

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism: Galamban Extraordinary Aboriginal Experiences (Wreck Bay)

General Tourism Service or Product: State Forests of the South Coast, Batemans Bay

Marketing and Promotion: Tathra Beachside

New Tourism Product: On the Perch, Tathra

Visitor Information Services: Shellharbour Visitor Information Services

Tourism Cafes: Sprout Eden

Tourism Restaurants: Cupitt’s Kitchen

Regional Winery, Brewery or Pub: Cupitt’s Winery

Tourist and Caravan Parks: Big4 Bungalow Park at Burrill Lake

Backpacker Accommodation: Sapphire Waters Motor Inn, Merimbula

Hosted Accommodation: Joint winners – Batemans Bay Manor and Escape 778, Calderwood

Self-Contained Accommodation: Tathra Beach House

Executive Accommodation: Bannisters by the Sea, Mollymook

Unique Accommodation: The Escape Luxury Camping, Shallow Crossing

Holiday Rental Services: South Coast Holidays, Gerringong

Registered Clubs: Milton Ulladulla Ex Servos Club

Meetings, Functions and Business Tourism: The Sebel Harbourside, Kiama

Tourism Retailing: Kangaroo Valley Fudge

Wedding Planners/Venues: Ravensthorpe, Albion Park

Adventure Tourism: Coastlife Adventures, Kalaru, Sapphire Coast

Outstanding Industry Achievement Awards:

Family Friendly Award: South Coast Nannies, Nowra

Tourism Small Business Operator: Discover Jervis Bay, Huskisson

The following two categories Sustainability and Inclusive Tourism are awarded as underlying principles imbedded in the South Coast Tourism Awards:

Sustainable Tourism: Warilla Bowls & Recreation Club

Inclusive Tourism: Edgewater Gardens, Caseys Beach, Batemans Bay

Young Achiever in Tourism:

Brent Strong: Apprentice Chef Silos Restaurant Jaspers Brush

Outstanding Contribution to South Coast Tourism by an Individual:

Jointly awarded to: Jackie Kay and Chris Mitchell, Nowra for their contribution, dedication and commitment to Inclusive Tourism on the South Coast.