Under the banner of the newly formed peak body Accommodation Australia NSW, guests from the hotel sector watched as more than 300 finalists vied for 37 categories, including the newly launched disability inclusion and access award.

The NSW Minister for Industrial Relations and Work Health and Safety, Sophie Cotsis, was guest
speaker, while Special Minister of State, Minister for Roads, Arts, Night-Time Economy and Music, Jobs and Tourism John Graham appeared by video link from Accor Stadium where he was attending a FIFA Women’s World Cup match.

A co-chair of the new peak body, Patrick Lonergan, said accommodation was an “essential cog in the NSW economy, employing over 400,000 people and generating more than $17.8 billion annually”.

Big winners included Crown Towers Sydney, which was named prestigious metropolitan deluxe hotel of the year, and Spicers Sangoma Retreat, which took out the sister title of regional deluxe hotel of the year. Relative newcomer QT Newcastle, which opened its doors just a year ago, took out the regional title.