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2025 Central Coast Visitor Economy Awards
Welcome to a transformative new awards program that unites our tourism community to celebrate individual successes, amplify ideas, foster collaboration and inspire growth.
mEET OUR 2025 FINALISTS
Listed below in alphabetical order by category.
Outstanding Visitor Economy Collaboration
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 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.
2025 FINALISTS
Excellence in Sustainable Tourism
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.
2025 FINALISTS
Excellence in Luxury Escapes
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.
2025 FINALISTS
Everyone’s Welcome Award for Accessible Tourism
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.
2025 FINALISTS
Outstanding Festival & Event
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.
2025 FINALISTS
Coastal Twist Arts & Culture Festival
Outstanding Outdoor Experience
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.
2025 FINALISTS
Glenworth Valley Wilderness Adventures
Outstanding Food Experience
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.
2025 Finalists
Outstanding Beverage Experience
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.
2025 Finalists
Outstanding Family Holiday Destination
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.
2025 Finalists
Outstanding Business Event Venue
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.
2025 Finalists
Outstanding Unique Accommodation Experience
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.
2025 Finalists
Yarramalong Valley Horse Farmstay
Destination Wedding Venue of the Year
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.
2025 Finalists:
Traveller's Choice Award (People’s Vote)
Entry Criteria:
This category is publicly voted and is open to all Finalists in the Visitor Economy Awards.
POWERED BY
Have any questions or need help? Don't hesitate to reach out to us
program steps & stages
1. Choose your category: Find the perfect fit for your business.
2. Check your eligibility: Familiarise yourself with the rules and requirements to ensure you’re good to go.
3. Submit your nomination: Complete a simple online form and upload a short, 2-minute video answering three key questions.
4. Finalists will be announced, 21 March: Finalists will be contacted via email and listed on the website.
5. Save the date, May 30: Finalists will be invited to present their story and successes in a relaxed, supportive setting.
Please review the Terms & Conditions and Frequently Asked Questions before getting started.
KEY 2025 PROGRAM DATES
Nominations Open: Wednesday, 12 February
Nominations Close: Thursday, 20 March
Finalists Announced: Friday, 21 March
Finalist Mentoring Program Commences: Friday 4 April
Draft Presentation Reviews: Monday, 28 April - Friday, 16 May
Finalist Pitch Rehearsal Sessions: Monday, 26 - Thursday, 29 May
Regional Showcase Day: Friday, 30 May
Judges Deliberation Meetings: Tuesday, 3 - Friday, 6 June
Winners Announced: Friday, 4 July
Now's the time to showcase your business to local, national and international markets.
Regional NSW is shining as Australia's top-performing destination, attracting 64.6 million international and domestic travellers' spending $26.2 billion in 2024.
Why should I enter?
Collaboration over competition:
This is a space where successes are celebrated together. Our Regional Showcase Day is designed to be supportive, not scary. Think of them as a conversation about your passion and achievements with people who want to help you be the best you can be.
Tourism Excellence Program:
Six Finalists will also earn a place in the Central Coast Council’s Tourism Excellence Program (valued at $2,000 each), designed to help operators create, sell, and deliver outstanding tourism experiences.
1-2-1 coaching:
All Finalists will also benefit from one-on-one professional pitch and presentation coaching as part of the program. Delivered by an industry expert, these tailored sessions will help you refine your strategies, sharpen your messaging, and boost your confidence.
Visibility for all entrants, not just winners:
We promise to give everyone a share of the spotlight during the program. And all entrants will receive detailed feedback on their submission from our expert judges, with actionable insights.
its your turn to take centre stage
Please review the Terms & Conditions and Frequently Asked Questions before getting started.
