Sydney among winners at NSW Tourism Awards

Sydney was among the biggest winners at the New South Wales (NSW) Tourism Awards in Australia this week.

The 2009 Sydney Festival received the top prize in the category covering major events, while the city's YHA hostel won the backpacker accommodation award.

Also recognised at the event was Featherdale Wildlife Park, which was named the best major tourist attraction.

State tourism minister Jodi McKay described the area as "an outstanding sanctuary and showcase of Australian wildlife".

She added: "The park boasts one of the world's premier collections of unique native Australian animals and bird life in a natural bush setting, all … just 45 minutes from the centre of Sydney."

A total of 150 companies and attractions were shortlisted in 30 different categories for the NSW Tourism Awards.

Other winners included the Crowne Plaza Newcastle in the meetings and business travel section and the Blue Mountains National Park, which was recognised as the state's leading ecotourism destination.

Ms McKay said the awards "reinforce the quality, vitality and diversity of the NSW tourism industry and recognise those businesses that have been the benchmark for best practice across the state".

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