Applications open for Visit York Tourism Awards 2023
Entries are now open for the prestigious Visit York Tourism Awards 2023, sponsored by LNER, which recognise, congratulate and celebrate outstanding businesses and individuals that deliver a world-class experience for visitors to the city.
The last Visit York Tourism Awards 2022 took place earlier this year in March, where 15 of York’s top tourism businesses celebrated a win at the ceremony at York Racecourse. Winners of eligible categories were put forward to the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, with Middletons Hotel’s Adam Wardale going on to win the national Unsung Hero award.
Returning on 23rd March 2023 at York Racecourse for a black-tie ceremony and an evening of entertainment, there will be 16 Visit York Tourism Awards up for grabs including:
- B&B and Guest House of the Year
- Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
- Cultural Venue of the Year* sponsored by Clarion Housing Group
- Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award sponsored by The Fabl
- Event or Festival the Year* sponsored by LNER
- Experience of the Year sponsored by Destination Core
- Large Attraction of the Year
- Large Hotel of the Year sponsored by Streamline Taxis
- New Tourism Business of the Year
- Pub of the Year sponsored by Hunter Gee Holroyd
- Resilience & Innovation Award sponsored by York St John University
- Retailer of the Year* sponsored by Fidomoney
- Self Catering Accommodation of the Year
- Small Attraction of the Year
- Small Hotel of the Year
- Taste of England Award sponsored by Fowlers of York
There are two new categories introduced for the 2023 awards, ‘Cultural Venue of the Year’ and ‘Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award’.
From hotels to restaurants, pubs to visitor attractions; businesses and cultural organisations across the city are being urged to enter – with the deadline of Friday 26th August to submit their winning entries online at www.visityork.org/awards. The awards are free to enter for Visit York members and £150+VAT for non-members.
Once all the entries are in, a panel of independent judges will decide on the final shortlist and winners through a mix of mystery shopping and rigorous analysis against the entry criteria. Businesses can check the eligibility criteria and enter the Visit York Tourism Awards online at www.visityork.org/awards.
Sarah Loftus, Managing Director at Make It York, said: “The Visit York Tourism Awards celebrate the very best in tourism, hospitality and culture in our city and surrounding areas. For many years, winning these awards have had huge benefits for businesses both regionally and nationally, with many awards being automatically put forward for the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence. This year, following his win at the Visit York Tourism Awards 2022, Middletons Hotel’s Adam Wardale went on to win Unsung Hero at the Visit England Awards for Excellence.
With 16 opportunities to take home an award in 2023, as well as the introduction of two new categories, businesses have until 26th August to get their entries in!”
Councillor Darryl Smalley, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Communities at City of York Council, said: “York’s tourism industry plays a major role in our city’s economy and culture, with a vibrant offering, which sets us apart from other cities. There are many excellent local businesses and organisations who make our city world-renowned to millions of visitors every year and . The Tourism Awards are a great way to celebrate their wonderful work and the contribution they make to our great city. I would encourage all across the industry to apply to ensure their efforts can be rightly recognised.”
*Visit York only. These categories are not eligible to go forward to the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.
ENDS
For more information:
Sarah Foster and Brittany Guymer
Communications team at Make It York
Notes to Editors:
Applications for the Visit York Tourism Awards 2023 are open until 5pm, Friday 26th August. Finalists will be announced in the Autumn, ahead of the awards ceremony at York Racecourse on Thursday 23rd March 2023.
About Make It York
Make It York’s purpose is to develop and promote the city and its surroundings – nationally and internationally - as a vibrant and attractive place to live, visit, study, work and do business. The company’s remit covers leisure and business tourism, city centre management, Shambles Market and festivals and events.
Visit York is a part of Make It York and is the leisure tourism brand
Under the brand Visit York, Make It York’s aim is to market York as a must-see world-class destination to the leisure visitor and ensure investment to develop the quality of tourism in York.
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