Perrie Croshaw of South Coast Holidays

Unlike last year’s bonanza of gold at the South Coast Tourism Awards, this year only South Coast Holidays, Geringong, and The Sebel Harbourside, Kiama, won their categories, for Holiday Rental Services and Meetings, Functions and Business Tourism respectively.

As it was South Coast Holiday’s third gold, it was inducted into the Hall of Fame for that category.

South Coast Holidays manages more than 120 budget to luxury holiday houses from Wombarra to Narooma and Tathra on the far South Coast.

“Our business is firmly rooted in the tourism industry, and we go out of our way to let visitors know about local attractions and places to eat,” says Director Perrie Croshaw.

“We estimate the people who stay at our properties contribute over $5 million a year to the local economy above and beyond their accommodation costs.”

Silver awards were presented to The Pavilion Kiama (Meetings, Functions and Business Tourism), El Corazone El Cocina Mexico (Tourism Restaurants) and The Mecure Gerringong (Executive Accommodation). Kiama Tourism won Bronze in the Visitor Information Services category.

The awards will be the final time Kiama tourist businesses compete in the South Coast district, following a reorganisation by Destination NSW which has created a new industry zone, Sydney Surrounds South, encompassing Kiama, Wollongong, Shellharbour, Wingecarribee and the Shoalhaven.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres says there had been an exciting response to the Board positions for the
Destination Networks with more than 600 applications received.

“The overwhelming response from industry is a real vote of confidence in this new tourism structure which will offer major benefits to operators in the Sydney Surrounds South Destination Network,” he says.

“Interviews are currently underway, with Chair appointments on track to be complete by the end of this year.”

At another awards ceremony, Kiama Council’s Seven Mile Beach Holiday Park has been awarded Best South Coast Park (more than 100 sites) from the Caravan & Camping Industry Association of NSW for the third year running.

Manager Leesa Tolman said the award was fitting recognition of the work done by staff in recent years to make Seven Mile Beach an attractive destination.

“There are 104 member parks on the South Coast, all providing high-calibre competition, so to win this award it is a wonderful achievement,” Ms Tolman says.

The third win also means the Park is now in the Association’s Hall of Fame.