FOUR tourism initiatives in Dubbo have scored a place as finalists in the NSW Tourism Awards.
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Of the 112 statewide finalists announced on Friday, 21 were from Western NSW with a range of accommodation, attractions, tours and visitors centre among those listed.
Dubbo Regional Council scored three of the finalist positions, including for: the visitor information centre; Old Dubbo Gaol; and the Dubbo and Great Western Plains Destination Marketing Campaign.
While the recently renovated Manera Heights Apartments on Cobbora Road was also listed as finalist.
Dubbo Regional Council deputy mayor Stephen Lawrence said staff were excited and humbled by the news.
"It's clear that Dubbo is leading the way with tourism initiatives and great experiences to receive so many nominations in the finals," he said.
We've been here 4.5 years and this is certainly the toughest time for a variety of reasons like the rise in online accommodation, like AirBnB, and also the drought has had a big impact.
- Manera Heights Apartments owners Trevor Kratzmann
"It's very humbling and a big achievement for all the hardworking council staff who get these activities up and running."
Manera Heights Apartments owners Trevor and Joanne Kratzmann are no stranger to recognition in the awards.
Last year they scored a gold in the regional round in the self-contained accommodation category, followed by a silver in the NSW awards.
"We've been here 4.5 years and this is certainly the toughest time for a variety of reasons like the rise in online accommodation, like AirBnB, and also the drought has had a big impact.
"We've certainly had to fight for our share of the market."
Manera has recently completed a three-year project to renovate all of its apartments and houses.
Mudgee was among the other Central West locations to be listed with six tourism providers listed as a finalist; this was followed by Orange (3), Bathurst (2), Lithgow (1) and Forbes (1); while there was also a nomination for Kirsten Serviced Apartments which operates in Mudgee and Parkes.
Now in its 30th year, the awards attracted 146 entrants in 26 categories from a divers range of businesses across NSW.
Western NSW Business Chamber regional manager Vicki Seccombe said the awards had a long history of celebrating and recognising business excellence, innovation and outstanding customer service by tourism operators.
"We're thrilled to see so many Western NSW businesses announced as finalists," she said.
"It highlights the strength of the tourism industry right across the region, with finalists from Lithgow, Bathurst, Mudgee, Orange, Dubbo, Broken Hill and Forbes."
The winners of the 2019 NSW Tourism Awards will be announced at a gala dinner on November 14.
Gold medal winners in categories 1 to 25 go on to represent NSW at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, to be held in Canberra in March 2020.
NSW Tourism Awards, Western NSW finalists
- Dubbo Regional Council: Dubbo + Great Western Plains Destination Marketing Campaign
- Dubbo Regional Council: Dubbo Visitor Information Centre
- Manera Heights Apartments, Dubbo
- Old Dubbo Gaol
- Bandalong Cottages - Mudgee
- Bathurst Regional Council: Bathurst Winter Festival
- Bathurst Visitor Information Centre
- Eldee Station, Silverton
- Grazing Down the Lachlan, Forbes
- Heifer Station Wines, Borenore
- Kirsten Serviced Accommodation, Mudgee and Parkes
- Mudgee Region Tourism: Visitor Information Services
- Mudgee Region Tourism: Water to Wine Campaign
- Orange Visitor Information Centre
- Orange360: Extend the Weekend campaign
- Outback Astronomy, Broken Hill
- Peppertree Hill Luxury Farm Cottages, Eurunderee
- Sierra Escape, Mudgee
- The Parkview Hotel Mudgee
- Warrumbungle National Park Visitor Centre
- Wolgan Valley Eco Tours
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