2026 award winners announced at the Western Sydney Tourism Awards

Western Sydney’s tourism industry took centre stage as the Western Sydney Tourism Awards 2026 brought together the region’s leading tourism operators, businesses and industry figures for an evening of celebration and recognition.

Hosted by Western Sydney Tourism Taskforce NSW (WSTTF) at the Western Sydney Convention Centre in Penrith, the awards recognised the people and businesses driving excellence, innovation and growth across one of Australia’s fastest-growing visitor economies.

The evening brought together leaders from government, tourism and business. Guests heard from the Hon. Steve Kamper MP, Minister for Jobs and Tourism; Mayor of Penrith Cr Todd Carney; Panthers Group CEO Andrew Hill; and prestigious representatives from the Western Sydney Tourism Taskforce and Western Sydney International Airport.

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A total of 13 awards were presented, recognising excellence across tourism, hospitality, accommodation, events, arts and visitor experiences. Winners were acknowledged by prominent government and industry leaders, including Kellie Sloane, NSW Opposition Leader, and Karen Jones, CEO of Destination NSW, along with representatives from Qantas, Accor, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Vietnam Airlines, Western Sydney University, Business NSW, Cabravale Club Resort and Liverpool Catholic Club.

The evening culminated in the presentation of the coveted Tourism Business of the Year award, before a finale of some exciting lucky draw prizes coordinated by the WSTTF, including airfare tickets, accommodation packages and a range of experiences sponsored by the region’s hotels, wineries, Vietnam Airlines, Qantas and Jetstar.

Opening the evening, Western Sydney Tourism Taskforce Chair Fazila Farhad reflected on the remarkable progress of the region’s tourism industry.

“Congratulations to all of this year’s finalists and winners, whose innovation, passion and commitment continue to showcase the very best of Western Sydney,” said Farhad.

“Since launching in 2024, these awards have celebrated the people, businesses and experiences shaping the future of tourism in our region.

“As Western Sydney prepares to welcome the opening of Western Sydney International Airport and enters a new era of opportunity, success will be defined not by infrastructure alone, but by the people and experiences that bring our region to life and make it such a unique destination for visitors.”

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At the event, the Western Sydney Tourism Taskforce treated guests to a sneak preview of its upcoming destination campaign, ‘A World at Your Doorstep’ – an exciting next step in raising Western Sydney’s profile and inspiring visitors to discover the wealth of experiences across the region. Further details will be announced in the coming days.

Winners of the Western Sydney Tourism Awards 2026

Outstanding Tourism Campaign of the Year

Platinum Winner:

• West HQ Filipino Festival

Gold Winners:

• Club Marconi Festa Della Repubblica

• Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park – Wake Up with the Wildlife

Event Campaign Award – Council

Platinum Winner:

• Fairfield City Council Moon Festival – National Lion Dance Competition

Gold Winners:

• City of Parramatta – New Years Eve 2025

• Penrith City Council – REAL Festival 2025

Meeting/Conference Venue of the Year

Platinum Winner:

• Liverpool Catholic Club Venues

Gold Winners:

• Australian Turf Club – Rosehill Gardens Racecourse

• Visy Dior Hotel International

Tour Group Experience of the Year

Platinum Winner:

• Anderson’s Tours

Gold Winner:

• Gledswood Homestead & Winery

Highly Commended:

• Vietravel Australia

Outstanding Achievement in Accessible Tourism

Platinum Winner:

• Quest Penrith

Gold Winner:

• Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park

Apartment Hotels and Unique Accommodation

6a. Apartment Hotels

Platinum Winner:

• Meriton Suites Liverpool

Gold Winner:

• Quest Campbelltown

6b. Unique Accommodation

Platinum Winner:

• Novotel Sydney Cabramatta

Gold Winner:

• Holiday Inn Sydney St Marys

Tourism Excellence – Team Member of the Year

Platinum Winner:

• Amanda Fuller – The William Inglis Hotel – MGallery Collection

Gold Winner:

• Ruwani Weerasinghe – La Vie Hotels & Resorts

Best Bar/Pub of the Year

Platinum Winner:

• Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains – Two Doctors Whiskey Tavern

Gold Winner:

• Station Hotel Parramatta

Best Rated Cuisine – Hotels/Clubs/Restaurants

Platinum Winner:

• Magma by Dany Karam – Cabravale Club Resort

Gold Winner:

• Wenty Leagues

Highly Commended:

• Fairways Restaurant & Bar – Comfort Inn Leura

Tourism Transformation Excellence Award (New or Refurbished Project)

Platinum Winner:

• Western Sydney International Airport

Gold Winner:

• Cabravale Club Resort

Best Music and Arts Venue

Platinum Winner:

• Coliseum Theatre – West HQ

Gold Winners:

• EVAN Theatre – Penrith Panthers Leagues Club

• Liverpool Powerhouse – Liverpool City Council

Highly Commended:

• Wollondilly Performing Arts Centre (WPAC) – Wollondilly City Council

Chief Executive/General Manager of the Year (Hotels, Clubs & Tourism Businesses)

Platinum Winner:

• Stephen Wills – General Manager, Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley

Gold Winners:

• Noah Moseley – General Manager, Calmsley Hill City Farm

• Vicki Le – Chief Commercial Officer, Cabravale Club Resort

Special Award: Leadership Legacy Award

Winner:

• Belinda Thomson – General Manager, The William Inglis Hotel – MGallery Collection

Tourism Business of the Year – Major

Platinum Winner:

• Cabravale Club Resort

Gold Winner:

• The William Inglis Hotel – MGallery Collection