The Blue Mountains dominated the winners' list at the 2014 Blue Mountains Lithgow and Oberon Tourism (BMLOT) Awards for Excellence held on Friday at Scenic World, earning 17 out of 21 gold honours on offer.
Multiple gold winners included Life's an Adventure, Fairmont Resort and Lilianfels Resort and Spa.
The formal event is BMLOT's way of recognising and promoting outstanding product and service quality each year.
BMLOT chairman Daniel Myles congratulated all finalists and indicated this year's awards takes on increased importance, given the circumstances.
He said BMLOT was "determined to return the nation's first tourist destination (the Blue Mountains) to its number one tourism position after last October's bushfires" and he praised the resilience of the region's tourism industry.
"Recently completed sections of the Great Western Highway through the Blue Mountains is already making it easier for tourists to visit the region and more experiences, events and attractions will also tempt visitors," he said.
A strong theme of winners' award speeches was teamwork, with most thanking their colleagues and staff for a collective achievement.
Scenic World joint managing directors David and Anthea Hammon were emcees on the buzzing night 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 to be held later this year.
Award Winners:
Specialised Tourism Services:
Ask Roz Blue Mountains
Regional Tourism Ambassador:
Kellie Barrow, Lithgow City Council
Tourism Education & Training:
BM International Hotel Management School
Tour Operators:
Life's An Adventure
Excellence in Sustainable Tourism:
Wild Valley Art Park
Apprentice of the Year:
Thomas Ferguson, Fairmont Resort BM
Young Customer Service Employee of the Year:
Meagan Iervasi, Lilianfels Resort and Spa
Customer Service Employee of the Year:
Jessica Fisher, Lilianfels Resort and Spa
Visitor Information & Services:
Oberon Visitor Information Centre
Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services:
Leura Garage
Deluxe Accommodation:
Mountain Heritage Hotel and Spa Retreat
Festivals and Events:
Sculpture at Scenic World
Adventure Tourism:
Life's An Adventure
Tourist & Caravan Parks:
Jenolan Caravan Park
Major Tourist Attractions:
Blue Mountains National Park
Tourist Attractions:
Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mt Tomah
Business Tourism:
Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains
Local Government Award for Tourism:
Oberon Council
Young Employee of the Year:
Roxanne Campbell, Lilianfels Resort and Spa
Employee of the Year:
Daryl Walker, Lilianfels Resort and Spa
Luxury Accommodation:
Mountain Whispers