Western Sydney Tourism Awards 2026
The official Western Sydney Tourism Awards 2026 is a milestone event set to celebrate the achievements of the tourism industry in Southwest and Western Sydney on October 16th, 2026. The Awards aim to set a benchmark for the industry to encourage growth and participation, especially with the opening of the Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) in this year.
A great platform to recognize the industry, collaborate and network with members of parliament, industry leaders and industry of Western Sydney. Attendees can expect an evening of good food, wine, entertainment, and recognition of the best of Western Sydney.
Categories & Criteria
The Western Sydney Tourism Awards 2026 has 13 categories to choose from. The fee to enter the Western Sydney Tourism Awards 2026 is $120.00 per category. Entrants are encouraged to enter more than one category.
The entry fee can be paid online via below link, if you are entering for more than one category, please select the right quantity of nomination fee to reflect the total number of your entries.
See below to view categories, questions and criteria.
*Please note these categories and criteria are subject to minor changes.
Become A Category Sponsor
Benefits of Category Sponsorship includes logos on all media releases and collateral and opportunity to speak and present at the awards.
For all sponsorship, media and other enquiries, please email us on:
#WSTA2026
MAJOR
1. Outstanding Tourism Campaign of the Year
This category recognises a campaign that enhance the profile/awareness and appeal of the destination through their campaign as well as creating economic impact, increased visitation, and community involvement. All tourism related businesses, hospitality, and hotels with local, interstate, and international visitor attendance with 10,000 to 25,000 annually plus visitation can enter this category.
2. Events Campaign Awards - Councils
This category recognises a campaign that enhance the profile/awareness and appeal of the destination through their campaign as well as creating economic impact, increased visitation, and community involvement.
MAJOR
3. Meeting /Conference Venue for the Year
This category recognises venues who provide high quality facilities specifically designed for business visitors e.g. meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions
4. Tour Group Experience of the Year
This category recognises a tour business that enhances the profile/awareness and appeal of the destination through their experience with marketing campaign creating economic impact, increased visitation, and community involvement.
5. Outstanding Achievement in Accessible Tourism
This award recognizes a tourism business or attraction that demonstrates an outstanding commitment to accessibility in the region. It honors those who have integrated inclusive practices into their core operations—ranging from physical infrastructure and digital accessibility to staff training and inclusive marketing.
6. Apartment Hotels and Unique accommodation
This category attracts entries from Apartment style hotels as well as also recognises tourism excellence in accommodation providers that give the guests a with a unique tourism experience
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7. Tourism Excellence - Team Member of the Year
This award recognizes an individual staff member who demonstrates extraordinary commitment, professional growth, and a "customer-first" mindset. It aims to celebrate those who are instrumental to the daily success of a hotel, club, or tourism business. The winner is someone who inspires their peers, delights guests, and consistently contributes to the positive reputation of the tourism industry.
8. Best Bar/Pub of the Year
This category celebrates excellence in traditional pub bar service in Western Sydney, with a strong emphasis on customer experience, décor and ambience and creativity in their menu offerings
9. Best Rated Cuisine - Hotels / Clubs / Restaurants
This category recognizes a restaurant and venue that offers a high-quality overall experience to the guest in terms of ambience, innovative and healthy food variety, and sustainable practices.
10. Tourism Transformation Excellence Award -New/Refurbished Project
This award recognizes excellence in the planning, design, and execution of a new tourism development or a major capital refurbishment. It honors projects that demonstrate a clear vision, seamless integration of design and function, and a measurable positive impact on the guest experience. The award highlights projects that not only improve a single business but set a new benchmark for quality and innovation within the tourism and hospitality sector.
11. Best Music and Arts Venue
This category recognizes a venue that offers a high-quality overall experience to the audience and strong commitment to local music and arts, thus create economic impact, increased visitation, and community involvement.
12. General Manager of the Year (Hotels/Clubs/Tourism Business)
This prestigious award recognizes an exceptional General Manager who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, strategic vision, and operational excellence within the hospitality or tourism sector. The award aims to celebrate a leader who not only delivers strong commercial results but also champions staff development, drives innovation, and fosters a premier guest experience. The winner serves as a benchmark for excellence and a mentor within the industry.
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13. Western Sydney Tourism Business of the Year
This category recognizes a business/attraction that offers a high-quality overall experience thereby making a strong contribution to the visitor economy of Western Sydney.