Local tourism industry awarded

Enjoying the North Coast Tourism Awards are Gay and Mike Colreavy, Kath Stokes, Vicki Wilson and Stuart Allardice.

TRAVIS MEAD

OUR tourism industry's success in driving economic growth has been toasted at a glittering awards ceremony in Coffs Harbour.

The 2010 Countrylink North Coast Tourism Awards at Opal Cove Resort on Saturday featured almost 30 winners from a whopping 90 entries and included handsome representation from the Coffs Coast.

The big local winners were the Coffs Harbour Butterfly House, Precision Helicopters and Coffs Coast Tourism's Tracey Adendorff.

“Tonight's awards are all about highlighting what we do well,” said Coffs Harbour mayor Cr Keith Rhoades.

“However with ever-increasing competition from destinations across the country and around the world, it is imperative we continue to strive for excellence in customer and business service.

“Here on the Coffs Coast we are working with the local and regional industry associations and members along with neighbouring councils and State and Commonwealth governments to improve our performance and promote the region.

“By working in partnership we give ourselves the best opportunity to achieve success in the future.”

Coffs Harbour Butterfly House took out the highly coveted Tourist Attractions category.

“Get close to nature at the Coffs Harbour Butterfly House, Maze and Tearooms,” the audience was told.

“Be surrounded by hundreds of live Australian butterflies as they flit and fly, mate and multiply.

“Informative guides will assist you to understand this amazing life cycle or maybe you might like to try and get lost in our maze within a maze.”

Precision Helicopters in Coffs Harbour was named winner of the prestigious Tour and Transport award.

The company is considered the pre-eminent provider of spectacular and scenic joyflights and aerial services. It is the only operator on the Coffs Coast with mandatory safety equipment required for over-water helicopter flights.

Coffs Coast Tourism chief executive officer Tracey Adendorff collected the Judith McGilvray Memorial Award for outstanding contribution to regional tourism.

A tribute on the night said: “(Tracey) professionally contributes to and serves the tourism industry through her paid work but also through her continual support and development of industry operators that extends above and beyond on-the-job hours.

“This person is a person who gives her all to their job. Their board of directors often receive emails from her late at night or while on holidays, just to remind one of them of an important task.”

The TAFE NSW North Coast Institute was named winner of the education tourism category.

The master of ceremonies for the night was Channel Ten's celebrity weatherman Tim Bailey.