This category recognises a business that understands the importance of visitor engagement for a region’s economy and reputation. The business needs to articulate how they promote the region as well as offering an exceptional visitor experience.

Entry criteria
Entrants are required to demonstrate how their business showcases the region/community and how their offering is unique within their industry.

This category* recognises innovative projects undertaken in the past 12 months by a Local Government, Business Chamber, Visitor Information Centre, Tourism Industry Association, or groups of operators (two or more) that aims to maximise their economic impact on the local and/or regional visitor economy.
 

Entry criteria

Entrants are required to demonstrate how their project showcases the region/ community including details of how collaboration and alignment of tourism operators, business and the community contributed to the project’s success.  

Projects may include but are not limited to:

• New product or innovative product development
• Upgrades or enhancements to tourism infrastructure or services
• Generating knowledge and/or insight to improve decision making
• Creating partnerships to advance industry performance
• A marketing or awareness campaign
• An initiative to address a sector specific challenge

^{*The visitor economy encompasses the direct and indirect contributions to the economy resulting from a person (a visitor) travelling outside their normal place of residence (NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2030).}

This award* recognises innovative projects undertaken in the past 12 months by a Local Government, Business Chamber, Visitor Information Centre, Tourism Industry Association, or groups of operators (two or more) that aims to maximise their economic impact on the local and/ or regional 24-hour economy.
 

Entry criteria

Entrants are required to demonstrate how their 24-hour economy projects showcases the region/ community including details of how collaboration and alignment of tourism operators, business and the community contributed to the project’s success. 

Projects may include but are not limited to:

• Cultural festivals & night markets
• Technology integrations
• Late night retail activations
• Collaborative promotions, marketing campaigns or loyalty programmes
• Night entertainment zones
• Evening culinary experiences
• Safety & accessibility improvements
• Night-time art exhibitions
• Food & wine precinct creation

^{* What is the 24-hour Economy?
When we talk about a 24-hour economy, the focus is on how we make our economy just as vibrant, productive and diverse in the night as it is throughout the day. The night-time economy consists of all the activities that take place as the traditional ‘business day’ ends. There are three distinct nighttime periods (see below), each with their own set of dynamics and community needs. The night-time economy is made up of a broad range of industries. These include ‘core businesses’ such as restaurants, cafes, pubs, bars, theatres, festivals, markets and live music and ‘non-core’ or supporting businesses, including transport, retail, service industries, educational establishments and gyms.
Daytime 0600 – 1800, Evening 1800 – 2100, Night-time 2100 – 0200, Late Night 0200 - 0600}

The Excellence in Sustainable Tourism* Award recognises a tourism business that has demonstrated its commitment to sustainable business practices both internally and in customer interactions. The award recognises efforts to minimise environmental impacts from its operations.   

Entry criteria

Entrants are required to demonstrate their achievements over the past 12 months at time of entry across the key area of sustainable tourism*. Category criteria are based on initiatives and projects executed within the business not related to its core offering.

^{* Sustainable tourism is defined as "Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environement and host communitites. (United Nations Environment Progrsm and World Toruism Organisation, Making tourism more sustainable: A Guide for Policy Makers, 2005}

This award celebrates exceptional accommodation, boutique hotels, resorts, holiday rentals and self-contained accommmodation that redefine indulgence, and deliver exceptional service and unforgettable experiences.

Entry Criteria
Entrants are required to demonstrate achievements over the past 12 months in delivering unique and exceptional luxury experiences that redefine indulgence. This includes showcasing exceptional service, premium amenities, and how their offerings promote the destination as a leading luxury escape.

This award celebrates businesses that provide exceptional well-being, mindfulness, and restorative travel experiences.

Entry Criteria:
Entrants must demonstrate achievements over the past 12 months in creating wellness-focused experiences, including showcasing innovative wellness offerings and their impact on visitor satisfaction and the local economy.

This award celebrates tourism businesses, destinations, and experiences that go above and beyond to provide outstanding accessibility and inclusivity.

Entry Criteria:
Entrants are required to demonstrate achievements over the past 12 months in creating inclusive and accessible tourism experiences. This includes showcasing specific initiatives, facilities, or programs that improve accessibility and foster a welcoming environment for visitors of all abilities.

This award recognises a festival or event that has delivered an unforgettable experience and made a significant impact on the visitor economy.

Entry Criteria:                                                                                                                                                Entrants are required to demonstrate achievements over the past 12 months in delivering a festival or event that provided an unforgettable experience, engaged the community, and positively contributed to the local visitor economy. This includes showcasing innovative programming, marketing strategies, and measurable outcomes.

This category celebrates exceptional outdoor adventures and nature-based activities that connect visitors with the natural beauty of the Central Coast and create unforgettable memories

Entry Criteria:
Entrants must showcase achievements over the past 12 months in delivering exceptional adventure tourism experiences. This includes highlighting unique activities, visitor engagement strategies, and how their destination promotes itself as a destination for outdoor adventure.

This award recognises exceptional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tourism operators and experiences that authentically celebrate Indigenous culture, history, and traditions. It honours businesses that provide visitors with a deep and meaningful connection to the land, culture, and heritage of a region through storytelling, partnerships, and immersive experiences.

Entry Criteria:
Entrants must demonstrate achievements over the past 12 months in delivering tourism experiences that honour and respect Indigenous culture, traditions, and heritage, and how their offerings foster meaningful connections to Country, incorporating authentic Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander perspectives. This includes engagement with community, storytelling, and initiatives that contribute to cultural awareness, education, cultural preservation. 

This award celebrates businesses or experiences that create exceptional culinary experiences for food lovers.

Entry Criteria:
Entrants are required to demonstrate achievements over the past 12 months in creating exceptional food tourism experiences. This includes showcasing local flavours, sustainable practices, and how their offerings celebrate and promote culinary tourism.

This award celebrates wineries, distilleries, breweries, bars, clubs, and entertainment venues that deliver exceptional visitor experiences and contribute to the vibrancy of the local tourism scene.

Entry Criteria:
Entrants must showcase their achievements over the past 12 months in delivering outstanding experiences within their category. This includes highlighting unique offerings, visitor engagement initiatives, and how their business contributes to positioning the region as a premier destination for beverage tourism.

This award celebrates caravan, camping or accommodation that deliver exceptional family-friendly experiences.

Entry Criteria:
Entrants are required to demonstrate achievements over the past 12 months in creating exceptional family-friendly experiences. This includes showcasing innovative offerings, facilities, or activities that engage children and families, as well as how their destination promotes itself as a go-to for family holidays.

The award recognises venues that excel in hosting exceptional events, conferences, and gatherings.

Entry Criteria:
Entrants must demonstrate achievements over the past 12 months in hosting exceptional events, conferences, or gatherings. This includes showcasing unique facilities and event offerings, how the venue contributes to enhancing the visitor economy in the region and how their offering is unique within their industry sector.

This category recognises accommodation that delivers exceptional unique experiences.

Entry Criteria:
Entrants must demonstrate achievements over the past 12 months in delivering unique accommodation experiences. This includes showcasing innovative features, attention to detail, and how they promote their region through their rare and special offerings.

This category celebrates venues that deliver unforgettable destination wedding experiences.

Entry Criteria:
Entrants must demonstrate achievements over the past 12 months in creating unforgettable destination wedding experiences. This includes showcasing unique venue features, exceptional service, and how their offerings contribute to the region’s appeal as a wedding destination.

Entry Criteria:

This category is publicly voted and is open to all Finalists in the Visitor Economy Awards.