Western Sydney Tourism Awards 2026
The official Western Sydney Tourism Awards 2026 were a milestone event set to celebrate the achievements of the tourism industry in Southwest and Western Sydney and was held 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) 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.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS!
Categories & Criteria
WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Congratulations to all the winners for the 2026 Western Sydney Tourism Awards 2026 -announced below.
The Awards night on the 16th of October 2026, had 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.
1. 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
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.
2. Events Campaign Award – Councils
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
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
3. Meeting / Conference Venue of the Year
Platinum Winner
Liverpool Catholic Club Venues
Gold Winners
Australian Turf Club - Rosehill Gardens Racecours
Visy Dior Hotel International
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.
4. Tour Group Experience of the Year
Platinum Winner
Anderson's Tours
Gold Winner
Gledswood Homestead & Winery
Highly Commended
Vietravel Australia
5. Excellence 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.
5. Excellence in Accessible Tourism
Platinum Winner
Quest Penrith
Gold Winner
Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park
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
6.Apartment Hotels and Unique Accommodation
Apartment Hotels
Platinum Winner: Meriton Suites Liverpool
Apartment Hotels Gold Winner: Quest Campbelltown
Unique Accommodation
Platinum Winner: Novotel Sydney Cabramatta
Gold Winner: Holiday Inn Sydney St Marys
MAJOR
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.
7. 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
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
8. Best Bar / Pub of the Year
Platinum Winner
Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains-Two Doctors Whiskey Tavern
Gold Winner
Station Hotel Parramatta
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.
9. 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
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.
10. Tourism Transformation Excellence Award
(New or Refurbished Project)
Platinum Winner
Western Sydney International Airport
Gold Winner
Cabravale Club Resort
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.
11.Best Music & 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
12. Chief Executive / General Manager of the Year (Hotels/Clubs/Tourism Business)
This prestigious award recognizes an exceptional General Manager, Chief Executive Officer, or Business Leader 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.
12.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: The leadership Legacy Award
Belinda Thomson
General Manager,The William Inglis Hotel – MGallery Collection
MAJOR
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.
13.Western Sydney Tourism Business of the Year
Platinum Winner
Cabravale Club Resort
Gold Winner
The William Inglis Hotel - MGallery Collection