Creating world-class experiences was the central theme of the 2024 North Coast Tourism Symposium held in Port Macquarie on 1 August.

The event featured presentations from government and industry figures, with a focus on the execution of exceptional, sustainable experiences and the importance of having a customer-centric approach to understanding and satisfying the needs of visitors.

Destination NSW CEO Steve Cox provided a keynote address on the NSW visitor economy, exploring the latest insights on key market segments, plus drivers and trends for NSW and the North Coast region.

“The North Coast plays a pivotal role in the NSW regional visitor economy," he said.

"The region welcomed more than 13 million domestic and international visitors in the year ending March 2024, who stayed more than 23 million nights in the region and spent $6 billion."

The North Coast was also the top regional destination for international visitors to NSW during the period, with 275,400 visits.

The symposium delivered a line-up of industry speakers including Intrepid Travelco-founder Darrell Wade who outlined the core ingredients that go into his organisations global success, Reflections Holidays CEO Nick Baker who discussed the organisation’s ‘Wild at Heart’ marketing strategy, in addition there were updates from Tourism Australia and Destination North Coast.

2024 North Coast Tourism Awards

Following the symposium, the 2024 North Coast Tourism Awards winners were announced during a ceremony at Sails by Rydges in Port Macquarie.

The awards recognise growth and entrepreneurship and celebrate visitor economy businesses’ success across the region.

Potager restaurant in Carool took out Tourism Business of the Year.

Destination North Coast Chair John O’Neill said: “It was fitting to see the outstanding Potager restaurant take the award for Business of the Year, replicating the amazing success that they have had at the state and national level.

“Likewise, it was great to see two leading lights on the North Coast in the Big Banana and Northern Rivers Rail Trail being awarded the Tourist Attraction of the Year and Outstanding Tourism Start-up, respectively’.

Destination North Coast General Manager Michael Thurston said: “It was a brilliant night and a fitting celebration of what our industry brings to the region and local communities. All deserving winners on the night and some truly remarkable stories celebrated, including the inspirational story of Tiga Cross putting everything on the line to save a local icon in the Coffs Wildlife Sanctuary.” 

A full list of the award winners can be found below:

Tourism Business of the Year

Potager

Business Event Venue of the Year

GOLD Lennox Head Cultural Centre

SILVER Osteria Weddings

BRONZE Pacific Bay Resort Coffs Harbour

Excellence in Cultural Tourism

GOLD Explore Byron Bay

SILVER Giingan Gumbaynggirr Cultural Experience

BRONZE Port Macquarie Museum

Excellence in Specialised Tourism

GOLD WildNets Adventures

SILVER Lets Go Surfing

BRONZE Myall River Camp

Excellence in Wellness Tourism

GOLD Lets Go Surfing

SILVER Sugar Beach Ranch

BRONZE Positive Energy Adventures & Retreats

Festival/Event of the Year

GOLD Byron Bay Bluesfest 2024

SILVER Grafton Jacaranda Festival

BRONZE Boo at the Zoo - Billabong Zoo

Tour and Transport Operator of the Year

GOLD Coffs Harbour Trikes and Private Tours

SILVER Lets Go Surfing

BRONZE Watersports Guru

Excellence in Innovation

GOLD Ritchie Villages

SILVER Ballina Visitor Information Centre

BRONZE Tweed Regional Museum

Outstanding Tourism Employee

GOLD Maree Milne - Myall River Camp

Outstanding Tourism Business Leader

GOLD Yen Trihn - Pipit Restaurant

SILVER Amber Kolo - Holiday Park Marketing Solutions

BRONZE Johnathan Zirkler - Nambucca Heads Island Golf Club

Excellence in Camping, Glamping and/or Caravanning

GOLD Myall River Camp - Glamping

SILVER Tasman Holiday Parks - North Star

BRONZE Reflections Byron Bay

Excellence in Food Tourism

GOLD Potager, Carool

SILVER Pipit Restaurant, Pottsville

BRONZE Shearwater Restaurant, Coffs Harbour

Excellence in Tourism Services

GOLD Ballina Visitor Information Centre

SILVER Destination Barrington Coast

BRONZE Stylish Camping Co.

Excellence in Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries

GOLD Bucket Brewery

SILVER Husk Farm Distillery

BRONZE The Lord Howe Island Brewery

Outstanding Accommodation Experience

GOLD The Belfry Guesthouse

SILVER Island House

BRONZE Nambucca Valley Train Carriages

Outstanding Tourism Start-up

GOLD North Coast Rail Trail - Tweed Section

SILVER Hirehood

BRONZE Port Macquarie Distillery

Tourist Attraction of the Year

GOLD The Big Banana

SILVER Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary

BRONZE Billabong Zoo

Outstanding Young Tourism Business Leader

GOLD Tiga Cross - Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary

SILVER Alanah Ward - Ballina Visitor Information Centre

BRONZE Jake Stone - Billabong Zoo