The Awards, now in their 29th year, recognise, congratulate and celebrate businesses and individuals who go above and beyond in promoting and practising excellence across England. Finalists will be invited to attend a traditional afternoon tea at the Bath Assembly Rooms on St George’s Day, 23 April 2018. Winners will be awarded either a Bronze, Silver or Gold award at the ceremony.
VisitEngland Chief Executive Sally Balcombe said:
“These awards are a celebration of our thriving tourism industry. They highlight the people and the organisations that deliver amazing experiences for visitors, raising the profile of England as a world-class destination.
“The finalists have shown themselves to be of the highest calibre, using their talent and innovation to deliver excellence. The hundreds of applications this year reflect the quality products across our tourism landscape and I warmly congratulate all the finalists and wish them the very best of luck.”
This year’s competition was intense with up to three finalists selected in each category from hundreds of submissions. From accommodation businesses demonstrating unparalleled service to attractions providing unforgettable experiences, and outstanding food establishments to guided tour operators, applications reflected the sheer scale and range of England’s tourism industry. They included hotels, B&Bs, self-catering operators, restaurants, pubs, visitor attractions and business tourism venues.
Latest VisitEngland statistics show that from January to November 2017 Brits took more than 44 million holidays in England, spending in excess of £10 billion on staycations, up five and six per cent respectively compared to the same period in 2016.
Tourism in England contributes £106 billion to the British economy.