VisitEngland launches new awards
21st March 2019
VisitEngland have launched a new Awards for Excellence format to reflect innovations across the tourism industry. The relaunch comes as VisitEngland mark thirty years of the awards.
The annual VisitEngland Awards for Excellence celebrate quality, innovation and best practice across the country’s tourism industry. The new format now looks at the impact of digital technology, the growing demand for experienced based travel and companies that tailor tourism products that cater for international visitors.
Newly introduced categories include Experience of the Year, International Tourism Award and New Tourism Business Award. The rewards also now have a simplified application process. The revamped awards will align with the 18 regional competitions that take place across the UK, making sure that local winners are automatically put forward for the national awards and the judging panels will be tailored to suit each category type and will consist of leading industry figures. Going forward, VisitEngland will also support destinations that do not currently hold local competitions to launch awards of their own, giving greater coverage across England.
Speaking about the relaunch, Sally Balcombe, VisitEngland’s Chief Executive said: “The tourism landscape in England is continuously evolving with visitors using technology to personalise the products they choose and our Awards must keep up with the aspirations of tourists. The new Visit England Awards for Excellence have been redesigned, refreshed and streamlined to better reflect today’s tourism landscape. They also adhere to the guiding principles of the awards, recognising and rewarding the outstanding quality and standards thriving at the heart of our industry.”
The full list of core categories for 2019-20 are:
- B&B and Guest House of the Year
- Small Hotel of the Year
- Large Hotel of the Year
- Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
- Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year
- Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
- Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
- Pub of the Year
- Experience of the Year
- New Tourism Business Award
- Taste of England Award
- Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
- Business Events Venue of the Year
- Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award
- International Tourism Award
Applicants for 2019-20 will first need to progress through a regional competition, the first two of which opened recently in the south west and Cumbria.
Keep an eye on the Visit England website for more updates on the awards launch.