ALBURY'S River Deck Cafe has won a tourism award at its first attempt.
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The Noreuil Park eatery received the prize for tourism restaurant and catering services at the Regional Tourism Awards at Moama on Saturday night.
Operator Alex Smit, who accepted the accolade, was thrilled.
"I think it's fantastic," Mr Smit said.
"It's great for us, it's good recognition for what we do and for Albury it's great.
"Things are changing here in Albury and everybody should know about it and it reflects well on the team we have here."
Six workers are employed full time at the cafe which overlooks the Murray River and between 20 to 40 overall can be rostered depending on the time of year.
This is second year the River Deck Cafe has been open through winter, following a renovation which saw seating rise from 70 to 120.
Mr Smit said with an average of 20 to 25 per cent of customers being travellers it was pleasing to be recognised in the tourism sector.
The cafe beat the Mildura area's Gol Gol Hotel for the award and will now compete at the NSW Tourism Awards in Sydney in November.
Albury's visitor centre was recognised with a bronze award in the category for tourist information places with Greater Hume's Holbrook site being highly commended in the same section.
Echuca-Moama was the winner.
Other Border sites recognised were Bowna's Great Aussie Holiday Park (bronze – caravan parks) and Yarrawonga's Rich Glen Olive Estate (silver – food tourism).
The awards extend over inland NSW and Victorian border communities.