TOURISM is one of the Coffs Coast’s most significant economic engines – visitors spend over $1 billion locally each year, tourism accounts for roughly 10 per cent of all local jobs, and it delivers $1.1 billion in total sales to the immediate economy.
Last Thursday night, the industry gathered to celebrate the operators driving those numbers.
The 2026 North Coast Regional Tourism Awards gala at Pacific Bay Resort saw Coffs Coast businesses claim honours across nine categories – on home soil, for the first time since the inaugural event was held here.
The awards were the centrepiece of the North Coast Tourism Symposium that drew more than 260 tourism professionals and state and national industry leaders to the region.
Yarrila Arts and Museum led the local charge, winning gold in Cultural Tourism off the back of its blockbuster RELICS: A New World Rises exhibition.
Hoey Moey’s Tidal Sounds festival claimed gold in Festivals and Events, and Spare Chef Catering took gold in Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services.
The Big Banana Fun Park, Coffs Coast Accommodation, and Woolgoolga Brewing Co each won silver, while C-Change Adventures and Coffs Harbour Trike and Private Tours took bronze in Ecotourism and Tour and Transport Operators respectively.
Bellingen’s Belfry Guesthouse was inducted into the Hall of Fame, recognising three consecutive wins in the regional tourism awards program and sustained excellence in hosted accommodation.
The biggest cheers of the evening were reserved for Tanya Watts, who received the Outstanding Contribution to Regional Tourism award for her 20 years of championing the Coffs Coast as an events and conference destination.
City of Coffs Harbour (CoCH) Mayor Nikki Williams said the results were a ringing endorsement of the region.
“These businesses are the heart of our visitor economy – they create the experiences that keep people coming back, support local jobs and tell the story of who we are,” Cr Williams said.
Delegates gathered at Aanuka Beach House for the Symposium, themed From Vision to Visitor Ready: Distinctive Places, Shared Future, where they heard from Destination NSW CEO Karen Jones, Tourism Australia’s Head of Social Media and Content Emily Eliot, CoCH Mayor Williams and General Manager Murray Wood, who delivered a Coffs Coast destination spotlight.
Council’s Economic Development and Tourism Section Leader Nicole McLennan noted the value of awards events such as the North Coast Regional Tourism Awards, and said the calibre of local winners spoke for itself.
“Behind every award is a team of passionate people going above and beyond for their visitors, and their success flows straight back into our local economy,” she said.
By Jessica MILLER
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