New South Wales-based tourist operator Scenic World has been named winner of the Third Generation category in the 2007 NSW & ACT Family Business of the Year awards by Family Business Australia.

The Blue Mountains-based company was founded in 1945 and over three generations the family has overseen the growth of the scenic railway, the construction of the original Scenic Skyway - the first and only horizontal cable car in Australia – a revolving restaurant, café, kiosk and souvenir shop, the steepest cable car ride in Australia (the Scenic Cableway), a 2.2km elevated boardwalk adjoining a World Heritage Listed National Park, and a 100-seat cinema.

NSW FBA chairman, Terry Rowney, said the Scenic World business was particularly outstanding when considering the family had created something which is now ‘internationally recognised as a key Australian tourism attraction, as well as being one of the largest privately owned tourist attractions in the country’.

He added: “Its success seems to be attributed largely to the way in which all the generations of the Hammon family have continued to grow the business through a combination of sound practices and continued enthusiasm for the unique experience they are providing for the tourism industry.” Details: www.fambiz.com.au