The finalists for the East of England Tourism Awards 2022-2023 have been announced. Mike Harper, managing director Newsquest South East, celebrates our region’s visitor economy.
It is with huge pleasure that we are able to recognise the outstanding efforts and achievements within our vital tourism and hospitality industry through the East of England Tourism Awards.
Tourism is a huge part of the region’s economy – and while the year ahead is set to be bumpy for some – it will once again, no doubt, be the engine room for the East’s recovery.
Close to 150 million day trippers a year, 10 million staying visits, and close to 250,000 people employed – the numbers tell the whole story.
In this era of staycations, we are incredibly lucky to have so many wonderful places to discover right on our doorsteps. Once people have been tempted to the East they keep coming back.
The Broads, the beaches and our countryside, the hotels, restaurants, pubs, cafes, campsites, attractions – all this and more contribute to making the East such a wonderful place to visit.
This year’s awards are brought to you in association with Visit East of England, and have been made possible by a range of sponsors, led by our headline partner, Hoseasons.
Tourism businesses operating across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire were invited to enter the 13 categories and the judges have chosen three finalists in each.
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism
- Jimmy's Farm and Wildlfe Park
- RSPB Minsmere
- Watatunga Wildlife Reserve
B&B and Guest House of the Year
- Dairy Barns
- Downham Hall
- Piglets Boutique Country Stay
Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
- Albion Nights
- Clippesby Hall Holiday Park
- Deepdale Camping
Ethiccal, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award
- Gladwins Farm Holiday Cottages
- Hippersons Boatyard
- Retreat East
Experience of the Year
- Mersea Boating Lake
- PrimEVIL
- Talliston House & Gardens
New Tourism Business of the Year
- Buoyancy Bikes
- BugzUK
- Thorington Theatre
Large Hotel of the Year
- Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate
- Tewinbury Farm Hotel
- Wivenhoe House Hotel
Small Hotel of the Year
- The Bildeston Crown
- The Crown and Castle
- The Grove Cromer
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
- BeWILDerwood
- ROARR! Dinosaur Adventure
- Warner Bros Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
- BugzUK
- Henry Moore Studios & Gardens
- Watatunga Wildlife Reserve
Pub of the Year
- The Angel at Watlington
- The Kings Head Bawburgh
- The Lion Brasserie
Self Catering Accommodation of the Year
- Gladwins Farm Holiday Cottages
- Hippersons Boatyard
- The Suffolk Escape
Taste of East of England Award
- River Green Restaurant
- The Unruly Pig
- Tuffon Hall Vineyard
You can find out more about these industry-leading businesses in the finalists supplement.
On Thursday, March 16, at a glittering black-tie event at Milsoms Kesgrave Hall, Ipswich, Suffolk, the awards will be handed out. Tickets and table packages for the event are now on sale if you would like to attend – see www.tourismawards.co.uk
All the finalists will go forward to the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, with the potential to triumph as the best in the country.
Our tourism industry is exceptional, but we also compete with destinations across not just Europe but the world.
We must all cherish and celebrate the incredible work that is done because it is key to the economy of the whole of the East of England.
Drinks reception partner
The East of England Tourism Awards would like to thank Larking Gowen for supporting the drinks reception at the celebration event on March 16.
Larking Gowen is relaunching its Tourism Business Survey this year. Your opinion matters, by participating in the survey you have the opportunity to share your insights and experiences, and help shape the future of tourism.
It will not only benefit your own business, but will also contribute to the growth and success of the East Anglia tourism and leisure industry.
Take the survey and help make a difference to the sector at www.tourismsurveys.co.uk
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