Exmouth-based Live Ningaloo enters WA Tourism Awards Hall of Fame, wins gold again for eco-tourism

Exmouth-based tour operator Live Ningaloo has entered rarified air, securing a place in the WA Tourism Awards Hall of Fame by winning the same category three years in a row. This year at the 2023 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards on Saturday, Live Ningaloo was one of five entries into the Hall of Fame. Live Ningaloo, renowned for its up-close-and-personal encounters with the region’s marine wildlife including awe-inspiring whale sharks, again took out the gold medal in the eco-tourism category. The overall winner of the night was Pilbara-based Ngurrangga Tours, which received the Sir David Brand Award for Tourism. Nexus Airlines, which earlier this year launched flights between Geraldton, Perth and the North West, clinched gold in the new business category. Other Mid West and Gascoyne tourism operators earned plaudits at the awards, claiming either silver or bronze medals in their categories. Cervantes’ Lobster Shack took home silver in the tourist attractions category, while Wooleen Station in the Murchison was awarded bronze in the eco-tourism category. Finlay’s Kalbarri claimed silver in the tourism restaurants and catering services category. In the unique accommodation category, Bullara Station Stay, south of Exmouth, was awarded silver and Geraldton-based Eco Abrolhos Cruises bronze. The awards honoured tourism operators across 27 categories. The gold medallists in each category will go on to represent WA at the 2023 Australian Tourism Awards. Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti congratulated the winners and finalists, saying the awards reflected industry excellence and WA’s friendly, world-class hospitality. “WA is a unique tourism destination, offering visitors incredible landscapes and world-class experiences and activities, however, it is the people behind the experiences who help the industry continue to thrive and elevate our State as an aspirational destination to visit,” she said.