After winning gold at the 25th annual NSW Tourism Awards in November, former Wollongong residents Ken and June Banks are in the running for gold at the Australian Tourism Awards.
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The couple's business, Mollymook Beach Waterfront Apartments, took out the hosted accommodation category at the state awards and have twice placed second, winning silver in that category at the national level.
This week they hope they have impressed the judges enough on their third attempt to secure the win and take the gold with their holiday apartments that have incredible views on the waterfront at Mollymook.
Attention to detail, a focus on the privacy of guests and customer service and product quality at the highest level are among their secrets to success.
And that is why they are able to promote themselves as multiple award winning accommodation for the twin apartment complex they built from scratch.
The Banks have won gold at the NSW State Tourism Awards in 2011, 2012 and 2014, silver in 2010 and 2013 and gold at the regional level every year from 2010 to 2104.
They won silver at the Australian Tourism Awards in 2011 and 2012 and are hoping for gold when the winners are announced on April 10.
In 2010 they won the National TakeABreak Award for Best Beach Accommodation after winning at the state level in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
In 2009 they won the People's Choice Beach Accommodation category at the National TakeABreak Awards and in 2010 Mollymook Beach Waterfront Apartments took out the Tourism Champion Award at the National Small Business Awards.
In recent years Mollymook Beach Waterfront has been one of a few South Coast attractions to taste national success.
Among the reasons for that is its 99.2 per cent occupancy.
The only reason it is not higher is they have to take a few days out each year for maintenance to ensure the standard remains as high as it can possibly be.
Mr Banks said the success had come after a lot of hard work and commitment to developing a great tourism product that had resulted in some great reviews on TripAdvisor and TakeABreak for the 4.5-star luxury executive accommodation.
They target couples interested in a quiet and peaceful location with views of dolphins surfing and whales migrating without having to leave their room.
The Banks entered the accommodation industry in 2001 when they took over management of the four-star Mollymook Cove Apartments.
In 2004 the Banks developed Mollymook Seaview and in 2007, they acquired what is now known as Mollymook Beach Waterfront.
