THE Eden Visitor Information Centre has been recognised with the Judges’ Star Award at the 2021 NSW Tourism Awards.
The Eden centre was the only business to be recognised from the Sapphire Coast, vying for the awards with nominations from across the state.
The Port Authority of NSW, which operates the port at Eden, has congratulated the centre on the accolade.
Port authority CEO Philip Holliday said, “This is a deserved acknowledgement of the great work the Eden Visitor Information Centre does for the Sapphire Coast community, which we are proud to support”.
The tourism star award acknowledges the resilience shown by the tourism industry in a year impacted by floods, bushfires, and the pandemic.
The volunteer board and staff were recognised for their cutting edge approach to their work, by moving to a new location at the Eden Welcome Centre and rebranding, diversifying operations, overhauling their retail offering to include mainly local products.
“The Centre and its team of volunteers have shown a very high level of professionalism and dedication during a difficult period to deliver an innovative approach to their work,” Mr Holliday said.
The port of Eden is the southernmost deep-water harbour in NSW and equidistant from both Sydney and Melbourne.
Mr Holliday said the work of the centre will continue to be a critical part of the community’s recovery from the bushfires and the impact of COVID, and will play a vital part in welcoming back cruise ships to the region in the future.
The Centre is staffed by a team of 22 volunteers who man the information counter seven days a week, 365 days a year and the operations are overseen by non-profit organisation Eden Tourism Inc.
In September 2019 the Port of Eden welcomed its first cruise ship, P&O Cruises Pacific Explorer after the extension of Breakwater Wharf to accommodate cruise ships up to 260 metres long.
The project was jointly funded with the Australian government investing $10 million, the NSW government $32 million and Bega Valley Shire Council $2 million.
Unfortunately, the advent of coronavirus stopped cruise ships stopping at the port in early 2020.
The cruise ban was extended by the federal government to mid-February 2022 after the omicron outbreak and there has been no official confirmation when this will be lifted.
Cruise Lines International Association Australasia estimates that the ban has already cost the Australian economy $10 billion.
And with months of preparation needed before a voyage, it could be April or May before cruises from Australian ports resume, if the ban is lifted this month.
