Best in Tourism Celebrated at Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards

The best of Western Australia’s tourism industry was recognised on Saturday night at the 2021 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards Gala Dinner, presented by Tourism Council WA at Crown Perth.

The industry’s premier awards night showcased the innovation and commitment to business excellence of the state’s leading tourism operators across 27 categories.

In its 49th year, the Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards attracted a record number of first-time entrants, representing a diverse range of businesses from across Western Australia.

Advising of the Awards' "long history of celebrating and recognising business excellence, innovation and outstanding customer service by tourism operators” Tourism Council WA Chief Executive, Evan Hall stated "the longevity and process of the Awards really does mean that those operators which take home medals are the best tourism businesses Western Australia has on offer and each and every year the judges are impressed by the commitment to the industry that all entrants display.”

The tourism industry’s ultimate prize, the Sir David Brand Award for Tourism, was presented to HeliSpirit for its ongoing development and commitment to tourism across the Kimberley. All Gold medal-winning businesses were judged for the opportunity to receive this prestigious accolade.

A new category, the COVID-19 Judges’ Choice, was awarded to Pan Pacific Perth for the way it used the skills of its staff to help those in need during a business downturn, housing and supporting Perth’s rough sleepers through a range of measures.

The Awards were made possible by the continual support of several sponsors, particularly principal sponsor Perth Airport.

Perth Airport Chief Executive, Kevin Brown added "the WA tourism industry has faced some of its toughest times over the past 18 months."

“But despite this adversity, our amazing tourism operators have shown resilience, innovation, and dedication to ensure they provide the best possible experience to their guests.

“We can’t wait for WA to safely open up so that the rest of Australia and the world will once again be able to experience all that our incredible State has to offer.”

The Gold medallists in categories 1 to 25 will go on to represent Western Australia at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, being held on the Sunshine Coast in March 2022.

Winners and medallists in the 2021 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards.

Major Tourist Attractions - Sponsored by Tourism WA
Gold - Busselton Jetty (Hall of Fame)
Silver - Fremantle Prison
Bronze - WA Maritime Museum

Tourist Attractions - Sponsored by Vanguard Press
Gold - Willie Creek Pearl Farm
Silver - National Anzac Centre
Bronze - Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse

Major Festivals & Events
Gold - Christmas Lights Trail 2020 - City of Perth
Silver - Perth Festival 2021
Bronze - Manchester United in Perth 2019 - Optus Stadium

Festivals & Events- Sponsored by Western Australian Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries
Gold - CinefestOZ Film Festival (Hall of Fame)
Silver - The 2021 Perth Caravan & Camping Show
Bronze - South32 Rottnest Channel Swim

Ecotourism - Sponsored by Western Australian Parks & Wildlife Service
Gold - Live Ningaloo
Silver - Busselton Jetty
Bronze - Cape to Cape Explorer Tours

Cultural Tourism - Sponsored by Western Australian Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries
Gold - Fremantle Prison (Hall of Fame)
Silver - Benedictine Community of New Norcia
Bronze - WA Museum Boola Bardip

Qantas Award for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tourism - Sponsored by Qantas and WAITOC
Gold - Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours & Experiences (Hall of Fame)
Silver - Ngurrangga Tours

Tourism Retail & Hire Services
Gold - The House of Honey & The Sticky Spoon Café
Silver - Vasse Virgin
Bronze - Willie Creek Pearls

Visitor Information Services - Sponsored by RAC Parks & Resorts
Gold - Dwellingup Trails and Visitor Centre
Silver - Karijini Visitor Centre
Bronze - Kalgoorlie Boulder Visitor Centre

Business Event Venues - Sponsored by Business Events Perth
Gold - Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre
Silver - Pullman Bunker Bay Resort
Bronze - Joondalup Resort

Major Tour & Transport Operators - Sponsored by The Sunday Times
Gold - HeliSpirit
Silver - SeaLink WA
Bronze - Rottnest Fast Ferries

Tour & Transport Operators - Sponsored by Vanguard Press
Gold - The Hike Collective
Silver - Three Islands Whale Shark Dive
Bronze - Up Close and Local Tours

Adventure Tourism - Sponsored by RAC Parks & Resorts
Gold - Skydive Geronimo WA
Silver - HeliSpirit
Bronze - Live Ningaloo

Tourism Marketing & Campaigns - Sponsored by Countrywide Publications
Gold - WAITOC - Postcards from our Backyard
Silver - City of Fremantle (THIS IS FREMANTLE)
Bronze - Visit Mandurah

Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services - Sponsored by Tourism WA
Gold - Core Cider House
Silver - The Crooked Carrot
Bronze - Ten Acre Block

Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries
Gold - Black Brewing Co
Silver - Singlefile Wines
Bronze - Sin Gin Distillery

Caravan & Holiday Parks - Sponsored by Caravan Industry Association WA
Gold - Kimberleyland Waterfront Holiday Park
Silver - Cheynes Beach Caravan Park
Bronze - RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort

Self Contained Accommodation - Sponsored by Western Australian Parks & Wildlife Service
Gold - Tree Chalets
Silver - Bina Maya Yallingup Escape
Bronze - Diamond Forest Farm Stay

3-3.5 Star Accommodation - Sponsored by Bailiwick Legal
Gold - SurfPoint Resort
Silver - Broadwater Resort Busselton
Bronze - Kangaroo Inn

4-4.5 Star Accommodation - Sponsored by Quick Slip Frames
Gold - Nesuto Mounts Bay Perth Apartment Hotel
Silver - Seashells Broome
Bronze - Seashells Mandurah

5 Star Accommodation
Gold - Pullman Bunker Bay Resort
Silver - The Ritz-Carlton, Perth
Bronze - Pan Pacific Perth

New Tourism Business - Sponsored by Gallagher
Gold - Matagarup Zip+Climb
Silver - GoGo Active Tours
Bronze - Kalbarri Skywalk - Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Midwest Region

Excellence in Food Tourism - Sponsored by Tourism Australia
Gold - Two Feet & a Heartbeat
Silver - Core Cider House
Bronze - Chestnut Brae

Excellence in Local Government Award for Tourism - Sponsored by Premium Publishers
Gold - City of Fremantle
Silver - City of Rockingham
Bronze - City of Greater Geraldton

COVID-19 Judges’ Choice
Winner - Pan Pacific Perth

Sir David Brand Medal for Tourism
Winner - Troy Thomas

Sir David Brand Award for Tourism
Winner - HeliSpirit

Images: HeliSpirit, winner of the Sir David Brand Award for Tourism (top), and award winners Fremantle Jail (middle) and Tree Chalets (below).