About the CountryLink Inland Tourism Awards

The CountryLink Inland Tourism Awards (INTA) is held annually to acknowledge excellence in tourism in the four regional tourism areas of Riverina, New England North West, Central NSW and Outback NSW.

The Awards commenced in 2004 hosted by Central NSW to evolve into a major tourism industry event for Inland NSW. CountryLink has been the naming rights sponsor since 2005, with this partnership moving forward to support development of tourism in inland NSW.

The CountryLink Inland Tourism Awards provide tourism operators of attractions and businesses the opportunity to gain an insight into their industry, their business, achieve recognition for their success and promote tourism within their region.

Entrants are made up of tourism businesses, events, marketing organisations, clubs and individuals all aiming for excellence in their industry. Winners of the Inland Tourism Awards gain finalists status upon entering the NSW State Tourism Awards, and if successful, go onto the National Tourism Awards.

The annual awards are hosted on a rotational basis in each of the member regions following an Expression of Interest to RTO member organisations.

INTA is an incorporated association comprising representatives from each of the four Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs). The Awards are run by a Secretariat that reports to the INTA Working Committee that includes the host town / organisation for each year’s event. INTA is funded by its four RTOs and its sponsors.

The four Regional Tourism Organisations INTA encompasses comprise a population of 741,576 and include 68 Local Government Areas and 355 Towns and Villages. The Tourism industry in these areas covers some 15,000 tourism related business with the tourists spending in these regions a combined estimate of $2,279 million dollars.