Exmouth, Denham claim gold at GWN7 Top Tourism Town Awards, praised for delivering unforgettable experiences

Exmouth claimed gold in the GWN7 Top Tourism Town awards last week, winning the small town category and qualifying for a national title. It was the third year in a row that Exmouth made it into the top three of its category. This year it beat Dwellingup for the top prize. In the awards presented in Perth last Wednesday, Denham won the new category of tiny tourism town, against Gnowangerup and Coolgardie, while Geraldton claimed silver in the main tourism category, which was won by Mandurah. With a population of less than 5000, Exmouth will now compete against the likes of Airlie Beach, Sussex Inlet and Port Fairy for national top small tourism town. Exmouth’s awards submission, titled Imagine, captured the heart and soul of Exmouth’s unique and unforgettable experiences, while advocating for sustainable travels and growth as a tourism destination. Exmouth Shire president Darlene Allston said: “Australia’s Coral Coast, the Ningaloo Reef and especially Exmouth have made its name as one of Western Australia’s premium destinations, and we are ready to showcase our incredible journey, and the responsibility that comes with it, to the whole of Australia. “I know how much effort and dedication our visitor centre staff and every local business in town pours into our visitors’ experiences; we’re all trying to be better than yesterday. Every single day. And it shows. “This year’s campaign enables previous visitors and residents alike to reflect on the unique beauty and adventures in our own backyard while allowing future visitors to have a glimpse at the Ningaloo Reef and Cape Range National Park simply to ‘Imagine’.” The winners were decided between public votes and an industry panel of judges. The Top Tourism Town Awards have been running for more than 30 years, recognising cities and towns across WA for their commitment to tourism and delivering innovative experiences and facilities. More than 6700 people voted for their favourite destinations. For their wins, Exmouth and Denham scored television airtime packages worth $10,000 and $5000 respectively. Tourism Council WA chief executive Evan Hall said all the winners had displayed an exceptional commitment to delivering high-quality visitor experiences.