Katoomba Falls Tourist Park secures international tourism award

Blue Mountains City Council’s Katoomba Falls Tourist Park was recently awarded a Travellers’ Choice Award from the international travel website Trip Advisor.

Each year the travel company sorts through reviews and ratings left by travellers on their website, to identity the best performing accommodation providers around the world.

For the past four years, the Katoomba Falls Tourist Park has received a Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor. This year it received the Travellers’ Choice Award, which means it is now ranked among the top 10% of accommodation providers globally.

Katoomba Falls Tourist Park Manager Benita Clark enthused “we were thrilled to be recognised in that way.”

As is the case for most tourist operators, this year has been particularly difficult as the combined effects of the bush fires and pandemic have drastically reduced visitors to the tourist park.

Clark adds “since the fires started in November last year we’ve endured mass cancellations. When the fires subsided business lifted towards the end of January, but then of course COVID-19 hit.

“It’s been a very tough year - I think everyone in the Mountains can attest to that. So to receive some sort of recognition is wonderful and is a real testament to how hard everyone in our team has been working.”

Under normal circumstances, the park attracts international travellers from countries including Germany, The Netherlands, Denmark and the United Kingdom, as well as domestic travellers.

After an extremely busy June long weekend and July school holiday period, Clark advised that business went quiet again “People are just not travelling around at the moment, but it will improve.

“We just have to ride it out, and like everyone, take each day as it comes.”

Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill congratulated the park managers for their global recognition, despite the difficult year and notes “To be recognised by travellers is the best type of award. To be named among the top 10% of accommodation providers globally, is a wonderful achievement.”

Blue Mountains City Council also runs Blackheath Glen Tourist Park. The revenue generated from the parks help assist Council to meet the costs of maintaining visitor infrastructure across the City.

Image of Katoomba Falls Tourist Park courtesy of Visit NSW