Tour groups win silver

Tourism businesses across the Pilbara were showered in silver at the 2019 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards.

Three local tourism operators claimed second places at the awards ceremony at Crown Perth on Saturday, November 9.

The silver medals went to Karratha’s Ngurrangga Tours for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism, Exmouth’s Live Ningaloo for Adventure Tourism, and Onslow Beach Resort for Deluxe Accommodation.

Australia's North West chief executive Natasha Mahar said the Pilbara was one of WA’s best-kept tourism secrets, though not for much longer.

“It’s really emerging as a go-to drive/road trip destination, particularly around Karratha, Karijini, Onslow and the Mackerel Islands,” she said.

Live Ningaloo co-owner Sonia Beckwith said the organisation had been applying for the adventure and eco-tourism categories since 2017. “We got two silvers last year and one this year, so it was a realisation for us to work harder,” she said.