VisitEngland celebrate cream of England’s tourism industry
3rd May 2018
The prestigious Awards for Excellence, now in their 29th year, recognise, congratulate and celebrate businesses and individuals who raise the bar of what England’s tourism industry offers.
The 21 winners, announced on St George’s Day at an event hosted by Kirstie Allsopp at the Bath Assembly Rooms, range from Afternoon Tea of the Year to Tourism Pub of the Year, from Dog-Friendly Business of the Year to Visitor Information Provider of the Year. The winners were selected from hundreds of submissions, including accommodation businesses, attractions, food establishments and guided tour operators across the country.
VisitEngland’s Chief Executive, Sally Balcombe, said: “These awards shine a spotlight on our fantastic tourism industry, with the winners showcasing the quality, innovation and excellence on offer throughout the country.
“From an outstanding boutique hotel in the Dales to a guided tour of York’s chocolate-making history, from pine holiday lodges on the sandy beaches of Cornwall to a quintessentially English country-pub in Hertfordshire, these winners provide outstanding and truly memorable visitor experiences.”
Among them were the 25 Boutique B&B, a multi award winning B&B with a funky interior design, who were awarded Silver in the Bed and Breakfast of the Year category, the Cary Arms and Spa Inn on the Beach, set in the remarkable Babbacombe Bay along the Jurrasic Coast, who won Bronze for Boutique Guest Accommodation of the Year. Bulleigh Barton Manor an AA Five Star rated B&B received Silver in the Dog Friendly Business of the Year and the Silver Self Catering Holiday Provider of the Year went to The Milkshed.
Three special awards were also given out during the event: Outstanding Contribution to Tourism, awarded to Historic Royal Palaces, Tourism Superstar winner, Jim O’Reilly following a public vote and Travel Article of the Year, awarded to journalist, Richard Mellor.
Historic Royal Palaces received the award for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism in recognition of the powerful draw the royal palaces have on domestic and international visitors. VisitEngland’s Annual Attraction Survey found that in 2016 there was a seven percent increase in the number of visitors to historic houses and castles compared to the previous year.
The Tourism Superstar competition, run with the Daily Mirror, was this year won by Jim Reilly, a customer service adviser with Red Funnel Ferries. Nigel Thompson, the Daily Mirror’s Travel Editor, presented the accolade.
Richard Mellor is the winner of the Travel Article of the Year 2018 award for his piece in The Guardian, Party in the Sea – Between the Isles of Scilly.
Latest VisitEngland statistics show that in 2017, Brits took more than 47 million holidays in England, up six percent on the previous year. Brits spent more than £11 billion on domestic staycations in 2017, up six percent on 2016. Tourism in England contributes £106 billion to the economy.
To view the full list of winners, click here.