Blackpool’s Winter Gardens will host the national VisitEngland tourism awards this year, it has been announced.
Tourist figures from across the country will descend on the resort for the Awards for Excellence 2016 ceremony, which will take place on Tuesday 8 March.
With sixteen categories to compete for, hundreds of nominees are set to visit the UK’s favourite seaside resort, vying to take home a variety of top tourism gongs.
Working in collaboration with destinations and businesses throughout England, the Awards pay tribute to businesses and individuals who champion best practice and exhibit excellence in customer service.
With 16 categories, ranging from Access for All to Visitor Information Provider of the Year and 2016’s debut Dog Friendly Business of the Year Award, applications were received from a variety of businesses including hotels, B&Bs, glamping operators, restaurants, food and drink producers, pubs, museums, festivals, conference centres and even motorway service areas.
And all the nominees are sure to get a friendly Blackpool welcome, according to Blackpool Council’s Deputy Leader.
Cllr Gillian Campbell, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be hosting this year’s VisitEngland awards.
“Not only does it bring more business tourists in to the resort, who will spend money in our local hotels and restaurants, but it also gives us a great platform to showcase the many things that Blackpool has to offer.
“For the last few years we’ve been banging the drum to tell people Blackpool is back, and this is a great chance to show the huge amount of regeneration that’s taken place to some of the country’s top tourism leaders.”
Sally Balcombe, CEO of VisitBritain and VisitEngland said “We are very excited to be bringing the 2016 Awards for Excellence to Blackpool’s wonderful Winter Gardens. The Awards finalists exemplify outstanding tourism talent and distinguished businesses throughout England,” . “The Awards highlight exceptional commitment to quality care, service and English tourism as a whole. The Awards not only honour the great and the good in tourism and hospitality, but raise the profile of England and celebrate the importance of the industry’s contribution to local and national economies.”
Judged by industry leaders, all finalists will receive either a Gold, Silver, Bronze or Highly Commended Award.
The VisitEngland Awards for Excellence winners will be announced at an Awards ceremony, which is being held for the very first time this year during English Tourism Week. The Awards ceremony will also include the official presentation of the VisitEngland and Daily Mirror’s Tourism Superstar 2016 Award for the nation’s publically voted unsung tourism hero.
To find out more and book tickets visit www.visitenglandawards.org
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