2014 BMLOT Awards of Excellence winners named

Scenic World joint managing directors David and Anthea Hammon were emcees at the 2014 BMLOT Awards of Excellence. Photo: David Hill, Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism

By Ellen Hill – Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism

The best of the best tourism and hospitality businesses in the Blue Mountains, Lithgow and Oberon region for 2014 were revealed at the annual Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism (BMLOT) Awards of Excellence gala dinner and awards night on Friday (August 8).

The official regional tourism organisation’s awards recognise and promote product and service quality in the regional tourism and hospitality industry.

Lithgow Mayor Maree Statham receives a Contribution to the Blue Mountains Bicentenary award from former BMLOT chairman Randall Walker. Photo: David Hill, Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism

The black tie event traditionally attracts a glittering array of regional and state industry personalities and stakeholders including Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill, Oberon Mayor John McMahon and Lithgow Mayor Maree Statham, Oberon Council general manager Alan Cairney, Blue Mountains State MP Roza Sage and Macquarie Federal MP Louise Markus.

BMLOT chairman Daniel Myles congratulated all finalists and said he was determined to return the nation’s first tourist destination to its Number One tourism position after the October 2013 bushfires although he praised the resilience of the tourism industry.

Recently completed sections of the Great Western Hwy through the Blue Mountains was already making it easier for tourists to visit the region and more experiences, events and attractions would also tempt visitors, he said.

A strong theme of the award winner speeches was team work, with most thanking their colleagues and staff for a collective achievement.

The gala dinner and awards ceremony was held at Scenic World at Katoomba. Scenic World joint managing directors David and Anthea Hammon were emcees and entertainment was provided by Waradah Aboriginal Dancers and the Steve Morrison Jazz Band.

The BMLOT regional tourism awards feed into the NSW Tourism Awards and the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.

Through the support of Tourism Industry Council NSW and the generosity of sponsors, BMLOT members entered the regional awards for free. All entrants also had the opportunity to attend free submission workshops and category winners will receive free mentoring before the NSW Tourism Awards later in the year.

Jenolan Caravan Park owners Bob and Sally Parrington took out the Tourist & Caravan Parks award. Photo: David Hill, Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism

Award winners were:

1. Specialised Tourism Services: Sponsor: Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism GOLD: Ask Roz
2. Regional Tourism Ambassador Sponsor: Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism WINNER: Kellie Barrow, Lithgow City Council
3. Tourism Education & Training Sponsor: Scenic World GOLD: Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School
4. Tour Operators Sponsor: Scenic World GOLD: Life’s An Adventure
5. 

   Luxury Accommodation category winner Lorraine Allanson (Mountain Whispers). Photo: David Hill, Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism

   Excellence in Sustainable Tourism Sponsor: National Parks & Wildlife Service GOLD: Wild Valley Art Park

6. Apprentice of the Year Sponsor: TAFE Western Sydney Institute WINNER: Thomas Ferguson, Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains
7. Young Customer Service Employee of the Year Sponsor: Scenic World WINNER: Meagan Iervasi, Lilianfels Resort & Spa
8. Customer Service Employee of the Year Sponsor: Scenic World WINNER: Jessica Fisher, Lilianfels Resort & Spa
9. Visitor Information & Services Sponsor: Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism GOLD: Oberon Visitor Information Centre
10. Contribution to the Blue Mountains Bicentenary Sponsor: Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism Lithgow Mayor Maree Statham Joan Kent, A Moment in Time Wendy Hawkes, Lithgow City Council Blue Mountains Crossing Bicentenary Committee
11. Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services Sponsor: Oberon Council GOLD: Leura Garage
12. Deluxe Accommodation Sponsor: Oberon Plateau Tourism Association GOLD: Mountain Heritage Hotel & Spa Retreat
13. Festivals & Events Sponsor: Blue Mountains Economic Enterprise GOLD: Sculpture at Scenic World
14. Adventure Tourism Sponsor: Lithgow City Council GOLD: Life’s An Adventure
15. Tourist & Caravan Parks Sponsor: Lithgow City Council GOLD: Jenolan Caravan Park
16. Major Tourist Attractions Sponsor: Blue Mountains City Council GOLD: Blue Mountains National Park
17. Tourist Attractions Sponsor: Blue Mountains City Council GOLD: Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mt Tomah
18. Business Tourism Sponsor: Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School GOLD: Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains
19. Local Government Award for Tourism Sponsor: Tourism Industry, a division of the NSW Business Chamber GOLD: Oberon Council
20. Young Employee of the Year Sponsor: Scenic World WINNER: Roxanne Campbell, Lilianfels Resort & Spa
21. Employee of the Year Sponsor: Scenic World WINNER: Daryl Walker, Lilianfels Resort & Spa
22. Luxury Accommodation Sponsor: Jenolan Caves GOLD: Mountain Whispers
23. Tourism Business of the Year finalists, Blue Mountains Business Awards Sponsor: Biznet, the Blue Mountains Regional Business Chamber Blue Mountains FINALISTS: International Hotel Management School, Blue Mountains National Park, Life’s An Adventure, Mountain Whispers, Scenic World

Blue Mountains accommodation venues scoop industry awards

By Tourism Accommodation Australia and Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism

The Blue Mountains tourism accommodation sector was well represented at the 2014 Tourism Accommodation Australia (NSW) Awards for Excellence, with two venues winning several regional awards.

The prestigious Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa was a major winner at the annual gala ceremony, winning the Regional Deluxe Hotel Accommodation of the Year award.

It also won Regional Restaurant of the Year for its Wolgan Dining Room, Best Environmental Initiative and was a joint winner of the new Health Spa and Club Facilities of the Year category.

Respected employee Morag Ritchie won the Public Relations, Sales/Marketing Employee of the Year category.

Echoes Boutique Hotel & Restaurant won the Regional Superior Hotel Accommodation of the Year award.

TAA (NSW) chairperson Nigel Greenaway said both venues proved that accommodation in regional areas matched the best the city had to offer.

“Echoes Boutique Hotel & Restaurant is a delightful and welcoming property located in a fantastic location overlooking the escarpment of the Blue Mountains, whilst Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa offers a luxurious and quintessentially Australian experience in an iconic Australian location.

“Both venues are representative of the best in accommodation in NSW and that was recognised at last night’s ceremony.’

Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism chairman Daniel Myles said: “Of course this is wonderful news but I’m hardly surprised – the first tourist destination in Australia is synonymous with quality establishments such as Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa and Echoes Boutique Hotel & Restaurant.

“And they’re located in a pristine World Heritage Area right on the doorstep of Australia’s largest city.’’

The Fairmont Resort, Blue Mountains was highly commended in the Conference Venue of the Year category at the Awards for Excellence.

Meanwhile, Scenic World at Katoomba took out the Best Engineering category at the Australian Steel Institute NSW Awards for its Scenic Railway, the steepest passenger railway in the world.