The Sapphire Coast had a winner at the NSW Tourism Awards which were held online last night (Thursday February 3).
The Judges’ Tourism Star Award acknowledges the resilience shown by the tourism industry during a year impacted by floods, bushfires and COVID-19.
Out of all of the incredible finalists, the South Coast’s very own Eden Visitor Information Centre, were named as the winners in that category.
Clair Mudaliar from the Eden Information Centre says the team couldn’t be happier to receive the special accolade.
“It’s definitely a nod to our hardworking team,” Ms Mudaliar said.
“Our Visitor Information Centre is one of only five per cent in the entire state that’s independently run, it’s not run by a council or national parks or a government body,” she said.
“So we’re staffed by a really hardworking team of dedicated and passionate volunteers, and we’re also overseen by a board of volunteers and run by a non profit group,” she continued.
“To get where we are, for us it’s a real mean feat, we’re really happy and very proud.”
In a tough year for tourism judges were looking at resilience and innovation an area the Eden Visitor Information Centre has flourished.
“I think we did a good job in that area in the last year,” Ms Mudaliar said.
“We ploughed on through tough times and we were always there to support our tourism businesses in town,” she said.
“We tried all sorts of things to entice people to come to Eden, at the same time we were really innovative in what we were doing at the centre.
“We moved into a new building, we rebranded, we looked at different ways we could bring revenue in to sustain the business, so all of that combined may have looked in the judges favour I guess.”
Other winners from the coast included Cupitt’s Estate in Ulladulla,who took out Silver in the Tourism Restaurants & Catering Service Award.
And Ridge Retreat in Mollymook, who scored Bronze for the Hosted Accommodation category.
Image Credit: Eden Visitor Information Centre, Cupitt’s Estate, Ridge Retreat in Mollymook
