NSW Tourism Industry Council has announced the finalists for the inaugural Top Tourism Town Awards for NSW with the Central West putting in a good showing.

"It's a real testament to the resilience of these towns that in this first year, we have an incredible 42 finalists in two categories: those with populations over 5000 residents and those under 5000," said NSW Tourism Industry Council executive manager, Greg Binskin.

"These awards are all about community collaboration, groups such as local chambers of commerce, tourism associations, councils and visitor information centres have come together to showcase their town as a tourism destination worthy of celebrating."

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Bathurst has been nominated in the Top Tourism Town greater than 5000 residents category with Lithgow, Orange, Dubbo and Mudgee also up for the award.

"It has been great to see so many Western NSW towns as finalists in the Top Tourism Town Awards. Enormous work is done by our region's towns to attract visitors, all in support of our local businesses and economies, and this has been a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge and reward that work," Business NSW, regional manager - Western NSW, Vicki Seccombe.

"Now is the time for the Western NSW community to get behind our finalists and vote to have their pick with voting now open until Friday, May 14.

"The winners will be announced by the Hon. Stuart Ayres, Minister for Tourism, Investment and Jobs at the Local Government NSW Destination & Visitor Economy Conference, Thursday, May 27."

The winner will be decided by a public vote. To have your say and help Bathurst be crowned the top tourist town in NSW, click this link.

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