Berrima is the winner of the Top Tourism Town Awards
The heritage village of Berrima has taken out the top prize in the state’s prestigious Top Tourism Town Awards. Find out what the judges said made Berrima stand out from the rest.
The Bowral News
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Berrima has long been regarded as the jewel in the crown of the Southern Highlands, and the NSW Top Tourism Town Awards have cemented the town’s glittering status. The heritage town was named the best tourism destination in NSW with under 5,000 residents by the public and an industry panel.
The announcement was made on Thursday at the inaugural awards by Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres at the Local Government NSW Destination and Visitor Economy Conference underway in Port Macquarie.
Berrima was chosen from 26 finalists as the best small tourism destination in the state. The awards praised Berrima for it’s beautiful preserved Georgian heritage, the delicious food, and friendly people. Mr Ayres said the ‘visitor-first’ approach in Berrima was a credit to the state.
“These vibrant communities with unique visitor experiences, authentic hospitality and world-class tourism operators make NSW the envy of all other states,” he said.
Eric Savage, President of Berrima Residents Association, said he was thrilled to hear the news.
“I think it’s fantastic, and it’s recognition of the heritage values of the town,” he said.
Residents across the Southern Highlands have celebrated and condemned the increase in tourists to the region, but Mr Savage said they generate a sense of civic pride.
“As a community, we need to make sure the village looks as attractive as possible for the tourists that will come,” he said.
The increase in regional visitors was celebrated at the award ceremony, with the Destination NSW and Roy Morgan Weekly Visitor Tourism Tracking Index revealing a 20 per cent increase in visitors since October last year.
Mr Savage said he hoped the Top Tourism Town award and the influx of new visitors would force council to reassess the significance of the town.
“It falls to council to recognise that Berrima is an important tourist destination and that they should spend some money on it,” he said.
Steve Rosa, Destination Southern Highlands Group Manager of Tourism, congratulated Berrima on its “great effort” in collaborating on its winning campaign.
“The whole of the Southern Highlands got behind Berrima,” he said.
Berrima will represent NSW at the inaugural Australian Top Tourism Town Awards to be held August 25 at Parliament House in Canberra.
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