The team at Riverside Holiday Resort are jumping for joy after last Thursday night's win at the NSW Tourism Awards in the category "Excellence in Accessible Tourism".
Celebrations at the NSW Tourism Awards 2022
The win marks the third time the resort has won the category since its conception in 2019, and after an awards hiatus in 2020 due to the pandemic, again in 2021 in a virtual event that was he;d earlier this year. This third win is a special one as has earned Riverside another place in the coveted NSW Tourism Awards' Hall of Fame, in addition to the Hall of fame status for the 'Self-Contained Accommodation' category after last year's wins.
Manager Rebecca Beaton and Club Holiday Resorts CEO Ken Conway who accepted the award on the night, praised the hard work of the Riverside team, with Ken thanking Rebecca for her vision and dedication to create an inclusive and Award-Winning destination for both guests and staff.
Riverside Holiday Resort CEO Ken Conway and Manager Rebecca Beaton with Gold and Hall of Fame Awards in the 'Excellence in Accessible Tourism' category at the NSW Tourism Awards 2022 image via the NSW Tourism Awards
A massive shout out goes to our incredible neighbours on the Coffs Coast who also collected awards on the night; Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr Adventure Tours, Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation, The Coffs Coast Food & Wine Festival, and The Big Banana, and Niigi Niigi - Sealy Lookout who received a Ground Swell Commendation.
Coffs Coast and Urunga Winners at the NSW Tourism Awards 2022 image via the Coffs Coast Food & Wine Festival
Riverside Holiday Resort's mission is the provide value to our members, guests and local communities, and create an inclusive environment where everyone can enjoy life and create memories regardless of their abilities. I designed Riverside Resort with accessibility in mind, and 26 of the 40 two-bedroom apartments on site are downstairs accessible, with five of those having been created specifically for wheelchair users. The resort features accessible pathways, the office was redesigned with wider entrance and lower reception desk, and the resort pool comes equipped with entrance ramp and Dolphin Lift that can be fitted by staff by request along with specialist equipment hire from Willaid in Coffs Harbour.
Riverside Holiday Resort Manager Rebecca Beaton and CEO Ken Conway accepting their Gold and Hall of Fame Awards in the 'Excellence in Accessible Tourism' category at the NSW Tourism Awards 2022 image via the NSW Tourism Awards
Riverside Holiday Resort CEO Ken Conway and Manager Rebecca Beaton accepting their Gold and Hall of Fame Awards in the 'Excellence in Accessible Tourism' category at the NSW Tourism Awards 2022 image via the NSW Tourism Awards
Riverside Holiday Resort CEO Ken Conway and Manager Rebecca Beaton walking arm in arm to stage to accept their Gold and Hall of Fame Awards in the 'Excellence in Accessible Tourism' category at the NSW Tourism Awards 2022 image via the NSW Tourism Awards
Riverside Holiday Resort received a $30k grant funding in early 2022 from the NSW Government and Destination NSW through the Refresh & Renew Fund to put towards the instillation of new inclusive play equipment in July to make the resort more accessible for families; and manager Rebecca Beaton is also an important local advocate for inclusion, having consulted with Bellingen Shire Council in the planning phase for their Disability Inclusion Action Plan and their Award-Winning Inclusive Tourism Strategy.
NSW Tourism Awards 2022 winners take to the stage image via the NSW Tourism Awards
