Success for Bathurst at the NSW Tourism Awards

MEDIA RELEASE 4 February 2022

The Bathurst Visitor Information Centre (BVIC) has taken out the top honour with Gold at the prestigious NSW Tourism Awards announced at a virtual ceremony to an audience of over 650 industry guests on Thursday, 3 February.

The Awards are the peak annual tourism industry event and recognise the best tourism and hospitality operators and events from all over NSW with 116 entrants competing across 29 categories. BVIC took out the Gold Award in the category of Visitor Information Services, beating other category finalists including Mudgee, Shoalhaven and Eden. It is the first time that Bathurst has claimed the top prize at the State Awards.

Bathurst’s success continued at the Awards with The Bathurst Winter Festival being awarded Silver in the highly competitive ‘Festivals and Events’ category.

Mayor Robert Taylor said the awards were a tremendous achievement and recognition for the hard work and commitment of Council’s tourism and events staff.

“Tourism is a strong focus for Council with the sector contributing $245 million annually to the local economy prior to the disruptions caused by Covid” he said.

“The Bathurst Visitor Information Centre really is the heart of tourism for the region and the team there is passionate about what they do, ensuring the best experience for all who visit as well as working every day to keep those visitors coming and staying for longer. A great experience begins with great people, and Council is fortunate to have such a dedicated team at BVIC”.

“The Bathurst Winter Festival has transformed what was traditionally one of the quietest times in Bathurst to one of the most vibrant and eagerly anticipated. Despite the difficulties of the past two years Council’s events team has worked hard with local businesses and the community to find new and creative ways to deliver this sensational event, and to see it receive the Silver Award is an outstanding recognition of this hard work and of the quality of the Winter Festival as a signature event”.

BVIC will now go on as the NSW winner to compete as a finalist at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards to be held at Queensland’s Sunshine Coast on 18 March.

The Bathurst Visitor Information Centre at 1 Kendall Avenue is open 363 days a year and is an outstanding resource for both visitors and the local community. The centre is committed to growing the Bathurst region visitor economy and working with the regional industry and operators to improve the visitor experience and to market the Bathurst region as a destination of choice.

The Bathurst Winter Festival has become one of the most popular and celebrated events in regional NSW will return in 2022 from 2 -17 July.

ENDS
Media contact: Media Officer