SOUTH West tourism businesses hit the jack pot at this year’s Western Australian Tourism Awards by striking gold in seven out of ten categories.
The awards provide tourism operators to be publicly recognised for their industry contribution and achievements over the last 12 months with gold medalist winners going on to represent their state at the Australian Tourism Awards in Adelaide next year.
Busselton Southern Skydivers attended the gala dinner at Crown in Perth last Saturday night and were announced as gold winners for the Adventure Tourism category.
This was Southern Skydivers first time entering the category and marketing manager Amy Stutt said winning the prestigious award was a great honor.
“We have been overwhelmed by support from our peers in the Busselton and Margaret River business community,” Ms Stutt said.
Margaret River tour company, Top Drop Tours was announced Gold winners of the coveted Tour and Transport Operator Award.
The award brings back to back Gold for the family owned company who made history by being the first Margaret River tour to win the coveted award two years in a row.
Top Drop Tours owner Chris O’Hare said they were proud to be honoured with such a prestigious award.
“The Margaret River Region is a truly remarkable part of the world,” Mr O’Hare said.
“We have the pleasure of showing off its phenomenal wine, food, scenery and characters to visitors from near and far on a daily basis.”
Other Gold winners include Koomal Dreaming, Vasse Virgin, Geographe Bay Tourism Association, Big4 Peppermint Park and 2014 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro.
Sandalford Wines won silver in two categories and Amalfi Beach resort Busselton was awarded bronze.
The Western Australian Tourism Awards submission process involved an online submission and a site visit based program that will form part of the National Tourism Awards program.