In total 10 businesses from across the two regions will be hoping to hear their names called out when the winners are announced in late August. 

The Kiama Show, Kiama Tourism, The Sebel Harbourside Kiama, Shutters By The Sea Kiama and Gerroa’s Surf Camp Australia are the Kiama area nominees, while Shellharbour is represented by the Shellharbour Visitor Information Centre, The Shellharbour Club, Ravensthorpe, Ravenous, NSW Air Pty Ltd and the Warilla Bowls & Recreation Club. 

This is the second year the Kiama Show Society has been nominated, and this year they are hoping to better the bronze award they received last year. 

‘‘It’s really exciting, last year we received a bronze award in the tourism events category which was great, but hopefully we can go better this year,’’ Kiama Show Society publicity officer Karen Beasley said. 

‘‘It’s a great for all the volunteers who are part of the society to see their work being recognised, but the awards are also a great thing in encouraging us to be self aware about the things we’re doing and to look and see if there are things we can do to keep improving.’’

Jim McCallum, who co-owns and operates Ravensthorpe with his wife Deborah, agreed that the awards are a great way for businesses to indentify what they’re doing well and what can be done better. 

‘‘It’s a great measuring stick to see how you’re going as a business and a great way to encourage you to make sure you’re doing all you can to provide the best service you can,’’ he said. 

‘‘That benefits the whole region as well, if businesses are entering the awards and trying to do the best they can then tourism across the whole area will benefit and that’s why I’d encourage everybody to enter the awards.’’

Chair of the South Coast Regional Tourism Organisation Brian Longbottom congratulated all finalists and wished them all the best for the final. 

“The standard of entry was extremely high and the competition between the businesses demonstrates the aim of all the entrants to present the best possible tourism experience to the visitors to the South Coast of NSW,” he said.

The winners of the awards will be announced at a gala dinner at The Batemans Bay Soldiers Club on Wednesday, August 27.