Western Sydney’s tourism industry took centre stage last week as the Western Sydney Tourism Awards 2026 brought together the region’s leading tourism operators, businesses and industry figures for an evening of celebration and recognition.
Hosted by Western Sydney Tourism Taskforce NSW at the Western Sydney Convention Centre in Penrith, the awards recognised the people and businesses driving excellence, innovation and growth across one of Australia's fastest-growing visitor economies.
The evening brought together leaders from government, tourism and business, Guests heard from Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper, Mayor of Penrith Cr Todd Carney; Panthers Group CEO Andrew Hill and prestigious representatives from the Western Sydney Tourism Taskforce and Western Sydney International Airport.
A total of 13 awards were presented, recognising excellence across tourism, hospitality, accommodation, events, arts and visitor experiences.
Winners were acknowledged by prominent government and industry leaders including NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane and Destination NSW CEO Karen Jones, along with representatives from Qantas, Accor, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Vietnam Airlines, Western Sydney University, Business NSW, Cabravale Club Resort and Liverpool Catholic Club.
The evening culminated in the presentation of the coveted Tourism Business of the Year award.
Western Sydney Tourism Taskforce Chair Fazila Farhad said: “Congratulations to all of this year’s finalists and winners, whose innovation, passion and commitment continue to showcase the very best of Western Sydney.
“Since launching in 2024, these awards have celebrated the people, businesses and experiences shaping the future of tourism in our region.
“As Western Sydney prepares to welcome the opening of Western Sydney International Airport and enters a new era of opportunity, success will be defined not by infrastructure alone, but by the people and experiences that bring our region to life and make it such a unique destination for visitors.”
During the event, the Western Sydney Tourism Taskforce provided a preview of its upcoming destination campaign, ‘A World at Your Doorstep’ - an exciting next step in raising Western Sydney’s profile and inspiring visitors to discover the wealth of experiences across the region. Further details will be announced in the coming days.
Winners of the Western Sydney Tourism Awards 2026
1. Outstanding Tourism Campaign of the Year
Platinum: West HQ Filipino Festival
Gold: Club Marconi Festa Della Repubblica; Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park - Wake Up with the Wildlife
2. Event Campaign Award – Council
Platinum: Fairfield City Council Moon Festival - National Lion Dance Competition
Gold: City of Parramatta - New Years Eve 2025; Penrith City Council - REAL Festival 2025
3. Meeting/Conference Venue of the Year
Platinum: Liverpool Catholic Club Venues
Gold: Australian Turf Club - Rosehill Gardens Racecourse; Visy Dior Hotel International
4. Tour Group Experience of the Year
Platinum: Anderson's Tours
Gold: Gledswood Homestead & Winery
Highly commended: Vietravel Australia
5. Outstanding Achievement in Accessible Tourism
Platinum: Quest Penrith
Gold: Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park
6a. Apartment Hotels
Platinum: Meriton Suites Liverpool
Gold: Quest Campbelltown
6b: Unique Accommodation
Platinum: Novotel Sydney Cabramatta
Gold: Holiday Inn Sydney St Marys
7. Tourism Excellence – Team Member of the Year
Platinum: Amanda Fuller the William Inglis Hotel – MGallery Collection
Gold: Ruwani Weerasinghe La Vie Hotels & Resorts
8. Best Bar/Pub of the Year
Platinum: Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains – Two Doctors Whiskey Tavern
Gold: Station Hotel Parramatta
9. Best Rated Cuisine – Hotels/Clubs/Restaurants
Platinum: Magma by Dany Karam-Cabravale Club Resort
Gold: Wenty Leagues
Highly commended: Fairways Restaurant & Bar – Comfort Inn Leura
10. Tourism Transformation Excellence Award (New or Refurbished Project)
Platinum: Western Sydney International Airport
Gold: Cabravale Club Resort
11. Best Music and Arts Venue
Platinum: Coliseum Theatre – West HQ
Gold: EVAN Theatre – Penrith Panthers Leagues Club'; Liverpool Powerhouse – Liverpool City Council
Highly commended: Wollondilly Performing Arts Centre (WPAC) – Wollondilly City Council
12. Chief Executive/General Manager of the Year (Hotels, Clubs & Tourism Businesses)
Platinum: Stephen Wills – General Manager, Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley
Gold: Noah Moseley - General Manager, Calmsley Hill City Farm; Vicki Le - Chief Commercial Officer, Cabravale Club Resort
12.a Special Award: Leadership Legacy Award
Winner: Belinda Thomson – General Manager, The William Inglis Hotel – MGallery Collection
13. Tourism Business of the Year
Platinum: Cabravale Club Resort
Gold: The William Inglis Hotel - MGallery Collection
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