17 Oct 2026
2026 award winners announced at the Western Sydney Tourism Awards as a new era for Western Sydney Tourism dawns
Western Sydney’s tourism industry took centre stage last night as the Western Sydney Tourism Awards 2026 brought together the region’s leading tourism operators, businesses and industry figures for an evening of celebration and recognition. Hosted by Western Sydney Tourism Taskforce NSW (WSTTF) at the Western Sydney Convention Centre in Penrith, the awards recognised the people and businesses driving excellence, innovation and growth across one of Australia's fastest-growing visitor economies.
The evening brought together leaders from government, tourism and business, Guests heard from the Hon. Steve Kamper MP, Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Mayor of Penrith Cr Todd Carney; Panthers Group CEO Andrew Hill, and prestigious representatives from the Western Sydney Tourism Taskforce and Western Sydney International Airport.
A total of 13 awards were presented, recognising excellence across tourism, hospitality, accommodation, events, arts and visitor experiences. Winners were acknowledged by prominent government and industry leaders, including Kellie Sloane, NSW Opposition Leader and Karen Jones, CEO of Destination NSW, along with representatives from Qantas, Accor, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Vietnam Airlines, Western Sydney University, Business NSW and Cabravale Club Resort, and Liverpool Catholic Club. The evening culminated in the presentation of the coveted Tourism Business of the Year award, before a finale of some exciting lucky draw prizes coordinated by the WSTTF, including airfare tickets, accommodation packages and a range of experiences sponsored by the region’s hotels, wineries, Vietnam Airlines, Qantas and Jetstar.
Opening the evening, Western Sydney Tourism Taskforce Chair Fazila Farhad reflected on the remarkable progress of the region's tourism industry.
“Congratulations to all of this year’s finalists and winners, whose innovation, passion and commitment continue to showcase the very best of Western Sydney,” said Farhad. “Since launching in 2024, these awards have celebrated the people, businesses and experiences shaping the future of tourism in our region. As Western Sydney prepares to welcome the opening of Western Sydney International Airport and enters a new era of opportunity, success will be defined not by infrastructure alone, but by the people and experiences that bring our region to life and make it such a unique destination for visitors.”
At the event, the Western Sydney Tourism Taskforce treated guests to a sneak preview of its upcoming destination campaign, ‘A World at Your Doorstep’ - an exciting next step in raising Western Sydney’s profile and inspiring visitors to discover the wealth of experiences across the region. Further details will be announced in the coming days.
Winners of the Western Sydney Tourism Awards 2026
Outstanding Tourism Campaign of the Year Winners
Platinum Winner:
West HQ Filipino Festival
Gold Winners:
Club Marconi Festa Della Repubblica
Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park - Wake Up with the Wildlife
Event Campaign Award – Council Winners
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
Meeting/Conference Venue of the Year Winners
Platinum Winner:
Liverpool Catholic Club Venues
Gold Winners:
Australian Turf Club - Rosehill Gardens Racecourse
Visy Dior Hotel International
Tour Group Experience of the Year Winners
Platinum Winner:
Anderson's Tours
Gold Winner:
Gledswood Homestead & Winery
Highly Commended:
Vietravel Australia
Outstanding Achievement in Accessible Tourism Winners
Platinum Winner:
Quest Penrith
Gold Winner:
Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park
Apartment Hotels and Unique Accommodation
Apartment Hotels
Platinum Winner: Meriton Suites Liverpool Gold Winner: Quest Campbelltown
Unique Accommodation
Platinum Winner: Novotel Sydney Cabramatta Gold Winner: Holiday Inn Sydney St Marys
Tourism Excellence – Team Member of the Year Winners
Platinum Winner: Amanda Fuller the William Inglis Hotel – MGallery Collection Gold Winner: Ruwani Weerasinghe La Vie Hotels & Resorts
Best Bar/Pub of the Year Winners
Platinum Winner: Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains-Two Doctors Whiskey Tavern Gold Winner: Station Hotel Parramatta
Best Rated Cuisine – Hotels/Clubs/Restaurants Winners
Platinum Winner: Magma by Dany Karam-Cabravale Club Resort Gold Winner: Wenty Leagues
Highly commended: Fairways Restaurant & Bar- Comfort Inn Leura
Tourism Transformation Excellence Award (New or Refurbished Project) Winners
Platinum Winner: Western Sydney International Airport Gold Winner: Cabravale Club Resort
Best Music and Arts Venue Winners
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
Chief Executive/General Manager of the Year (Hotels, Clubs & Tourism Businesses) Winners
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
12.A Special Award : Leadership Legacy Award
Winner: Belinda Thomson - General Manager, The William Inglis Hotel – MGallery Collection
Tourism Business of the Year – Major Winners
Platinum Winner: Cabravale Club Resort
Gold Winner: The William Inglis Hotel - MGallery Collection
#WSTA26 #AWorldAtYourDoorstep #WesternSydney #WesternSydneyTourismAwards2026
About the Western Sydney Tourism Taskforce
The Western Sydney Tourism Taskforce NSW Inc. is the region’s leading tourism industry association. It advocates for and promotes Western Sydney’s visitor economy across the entire region. An independent, member-based body, the Taskforce represents the industry as a whole, connecting accommodation providers, attractions, tour operators, venues, hospitality businesses and stakeholders. Its aim is to showcase the region’s rich cultural diversity and outdoor attractions to a global audience and to position Western Sydney as a premier destination for domestic and international visitors.
For media information:
Leanne Fonagy
Eight Communications T: +61 402 842 808
E: leanne@eightcommunications.com.au
Tegan Whitfield
Eight Communications T: +61 404 664 883