Tourism Excellence recognised at Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards

The winners and medallists of the prestigious Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards have been announced at a gala dinner at Crown Perth.

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

Commenting on the event, Tourism Council WA Chief Executive, Evan Hall stated “the Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards are the most prestigious awards in the tourism industry, with a long history of celebrating and recognising business excellence, innovation and outstanding customer service by tourism operators.

“All participants in the 2024 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards demonstrated a profound commitment to making WA a diverse and welcoming tourism destination for guests. Tonight’s winners have gone up against exceptional competition from tourism operators and can proudly state they are the best of the best.:

The tourism industry’s ultimate prize, the Sir David Brand Award for Tourism, was presented to Harvest Tours for its continuous commitment to business improvement, passion for showcasing the best of the region’s food and wine, and strong support of the local community. All Gold medal-winning businesses were judged for the opportunity to receive this prestigious accolade.

Judges noted Harvest Tours showcased the best of the Margaret River Wine Region and was an inspirational regional food and wine business.

Pullman Bunker Bay and The Hike Collective were inducted into the Hall of Fame in the Business Event Venues and Adventure Tourism categories respectively. Tourism businesses which win Gold in a category for three consecutive years receive Hall of Fame status.

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

Perth Airport Chief Executive, Jason Waters commented “Perth Airport is incredibly proud to have supported the awards as Principal Sponsor since 2011.

“With Perth Airport set to invest $5 billion in new facilities, it’s an exciting time to be a part of the WA tourism industry.

“The strength of this year’s nominees and winners underlines why we have such great confidence in our state’s tourism offerings.”

The Gold medallists in categories 1 to 26 will go on to represent Western Australia at the Australian Tourism Awards. 

Category 1 - Major Tourist Attractions
Sponsored by Tourism WA
Gold - WA Museum Boola Bardip
Silver - Rottnest Island Authority

Category 2 - Tourist Attractions
Sponsored by Hello Perth
Gold - Albany’s Historic Whaling Station
Silver - Mount Hart Wilderness Lodge
Bronze - The Bell Tower, Home of the Swan Bells, Perth

Category 3 - Major Festivals & Events
Sponsored by Tourism WA
Gold - WWE Elimination Chamber - Only in Perth, Optus Stadium 
Silver - 2023 Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail - City of Perth
Bronze - Channel 7 Mandurah Crab Fest 2024 - City of Mandurah

Category 4 - Festivals & Events 
Sponsored by X-Press Magazine
Gold - Margaret River Region Open Studios 
Silver - 2024 Ord Valley Muster
Bronze - Lotterywest Boorloo Heritage Festival - City of Perth

Category 5 - Ecotourism 
Sponsored by Parks & Wildlife Service
Gold - Busselton Jetty
Silver - Sail Ningaloo
Bronze - Wooleen Station

Category 6 - Cultural Tourism
Sponsored by Tourism Australia
Gold - Bungle Bungle Guided Tours
Silver - WA Museum Boola Bardip
Bronze - Broome Adventure Cruises

Category 7 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experiences
Sponsored by WAITOC
Gold - Waringarri Art and Culture Tours
Silver - Mimbi Caves Tours & Campground
Bronze - Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation

Category 8 - Tourism Retail & Hire Services
Sponsored by Willie Creek Pearls
Gold - Broome Weddings and Events
Silver - The House of Honey & The Sticky Spoon Café
Bronze - Event Personnel Australia & Mob Contracting Australia

Category 9 - Visitor Information Services
Sponsored by RAC Parks & Resorts
Gold - Swan Valley Visitor Centre
Silver - Mandurah Visitor Centre
Bronze - Fremantle Visitor Centre

Category 10 - Business Event Venues 
Sponsored by Business Events Perth
Gold - Pullman Bunker Bay (Hall of Fame)
Silver - Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre
Bronze - Esplanade Hotel Fremantle by Rydges

Category 11 - Major Tour & Transport Operators
Sponsored by The Sunday Times
Gold - HeliSpirit
Silver - SeaLink WA
Bronze - Inspiration Outdoors

Category 12 - Tour & Transport Operators
Sponsored by Vanguard Media Group
Gold - Margaret River Discovery Co
Silver - Swan River Seaplanes
Bronze - The Hike Collective

Category 13 - Adventure Tourism
Sponsored by RAC Parks & Resorts
Gold - The Hike Collective (Hall of Fame)
Silver - HeliSpirit
Bronze - Off the Beaten Track WA

Category 14 - Tourism Marketing & Campaigns
Sponsored by Countrywide Publications
Gold - Wrap Yourself in Wonder - Rottnest Island Authority
Silver - Plateful Perth - City of Perth
Bronze - See Subiaco, ‘Summer in Subi’ - City of Subiaco 

Category 15 - Tourism Restaurants & Catering Services
Gold - Gourmet Camp Oven Experience
Silver - Finlay’s Kalbarri
Bronze - Frankie’s on Rotto

Category 16 - Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries 
Sponsored by Bailiwick Legal
Gold - Singlefile Wines
Silver - Finlay’s Kalbarri

Category 17 - Caravan & Holiday Parks
Sponsored by Caravan Industry Association WA
Gold - Mandalay Holiday Resort
Silver - RAC Esperance Holiday Park
Bronze - Gracetown Caravan Park

Category 18 - Hosted Accommodation
Gold - Wooleen Station
Silver - Chimes Spa Retreat
Bronze - Historic Dingup House Bed & Breakfast

Category 19 - Unique Accommodation
Gold - Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm
Silver - Bullara Station Stay
Bronze - Mount Hart Wilderness Lodge

Category 20 - Self Contained Accommodation
Sponsored by Parks & Wildlife Service
Gold - Stay Rottnest 
Silver - Heyscape Tiny Cabins
Bronze - Jarrah Glen Cabins

Category 21 - 3-3.5 Star Accommodation
Gold - Broadwater Resort, Busselton
Silver - SurfPoint Resort
Bronze - Kangaroo Inn

Category 22 - 4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation
Sponsored by Distinction Framing
Gold - Esplanade Hotel Fremantle by Rydges
Silver - Onslow Beach Resort
Bronze - Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa

Category 23 - 5 Star Luxury Accommodation
Sponsored by City of Perth
Gold - Pullman Bunker Bay
Silver - Parmelia Hilton Perth
Bronze - Fraser Suites Perth

Category 24 - New Tourism Business
Sponsored by Gallagher
Gold - Spinifex Brewery Cable Beach
Silver - Boola Bidi Dreaming
Bronze - Rough as Guts

Category 25 - Excellence in Food Tourism
Gold - Harvest Tours
Silver - Gourmet Camp Oven Experience
Bronze - Chestnut Brae

Category 26 - Excellence in Accessible Tourism
Sponsored by Spinal Life Australia
Gold - Busselton Jetty
Silver - The OZONE - Optus Stadium
Bronze - Off the Beaten Track WA

Category 27 - Excellence in Local Government Award for Tourism
Sponsored by Vanguard Media Group 
Gold - Perth Hills Tourism Alliance
Silver - City of Perth
Bronze - Shire of Chittering

The Western Australia Tourism Awards are presented by Tourism Council Western Australia. 

Images: Albany’s Historic Whaling Station, winner in the Tourist Attractions category (top) and WA Museum Boola Bardip,  winner in the Major Tourist Attractions category (below).