Kiama Mayor Mark Honey said eight local operators were finalists in 12 categories, while Danielle Coles (El Corazon) is a finalist in the Young Achiever category.

“To have this many finalists spread across so many categories shows why Kiama has such a strong reputation as the place to go for business or leisure,” Cr Honey said.

“Tourism continues to grow as a fundamental part of our economy, and these businesses can be justly proud of their contribution to our municipality.”

Council’s strategic tourism and marketing manager Carole Johnston said the South Coast Tourism awards also provided an opportunity for tourism operators to reflect on their achievements over the past year.

“It is important operators look at how they are managing their individual businesses, but also how tourism operators as a whole are building the sector,” Ms Johnston said.

“A key challenge for all operators is encouraging visitors to stay longer or return to Kiama more often.”

The 2016 South Coast Tourism Awards are being held at the HARS Aviation Museum, Albion Park on Wednesday, October 26. 

The Kiama municipality finalists are as follows: Crooked River Winery, Inclusion Tourism (Accessible)/Wedding Planners/Venues; Oak Room Eleven/Crooked River Winery, Tourism Restaurants; El Corazon Cocina de Mexico, Tourism Restaurants; Kiama Visitors Centre, Visitor Information Services; Mercure Resort Gerringong, Executive Accommodation; Shutters by the Sea, Self-Contained Accommodation; South Coast Holidays, Holiday Rental Services; The Pavilion Kiama, Meetings, Functions and Business Tourism; The Sebel Harbourside, Executive Accommodation, Meetings, Functions and Tourism Restaurants; and Danielle Coles (El Corazon), Young Achiever.