Get ready for the biggest event of the year! The East of England Tourism Awards 2023-2024 are now open for nominations. This spectacular awards event aims to celebrate the very best of our region’s amazing tourism sector.
Have you had a fantastic experience at a local attraction, hotel, or pub? Perhaps you want to promote the wonderful things your business has been doing in the past year? The East of England Tourism Awards are the perfect opportunity to share your stories.
The East of England is a region rich in history, culture and natural beauty. From exploring the coastline to visiting iconic landmarks, there’s always been plenty of unique experiences to share.
Our headline sponsor Hoseasons know this well. This year, the company celebrates 80 years of helping people create special holiday memories. Beginning with a boatyard on the Broads in the 1940s, the firm has evolved throughout the decades and continues to offer the best holiday experiences for visitors to the East of England.
Paul Evans, vice president of portfolio at Awaze, the parent company of Hoseasons, said: “The East of England Tourism Awards are all about celebrating the best we have to offer when it comes to attracting visitors and guests to our fantastic region, and that’s absolutely at the heart of the Hoseasons business.
“It’s 80 years since our founder Wally Hoseason started selling relaxing boating breaks on the stunning Norfolk Broads and it’s that spirit of ingenuity and innovation that we love to celebrate and recognise as lead sponsor of these awards.”
Tourism businesses across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire are invited to enter one of our 14 categories, with entries closing at midnight on Sunday, September 17.
Shortlisted finalists will go through a judging process (possibly including a site visit) before being announced in January next year.
A dazzling black-tie event will then take place in February 2024, celebrating those who have impressed the judges.
This year’s awards are brought to you in association with Visit East of England and are fully aligned with the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence. The top three businesses in each category will go forward to the national finals and could potentially be awarded the best in the country.
Pete Waters, executive director of Visit East of England, said: “Visit East of England is fully behind the East of England Tourism Awards.
“We believe this annual activity is really important to highlight the innovative, creative, entrepreneurial work being down within the sector to grow wealth and employment and to highlight best practices to raise the overall quality of our offering.
“With finalists going forward to the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, the regional event also helps promote our brilliant attractions, accommodation and venues to a wider audience.”
Deirdre Wells OBE, CEO of Visit Herts, said: “We are so excited to be partnering with LOCALiQ in the East of England Tourism Awards. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Hertfordshire’s Tourism Talent. From exciting experiences to luxurious accommodation and delicious food and drink, not to mention the dedicated staff who look after our visitors year round, Hertfordshire has the lot. So don’t be shy - this is your chance to get the national recognition you deserve! Go Team Herts!”
VisitEngland director Andrew Stokes, said: “We were delighted that five businesses from the East of England won awards at our national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence earlier this year, demonstrating the innovation and excellence thriving across the sector.
“With applications to the East of England Tourism Awards 2023/24 now open I really encourage all eligible businesses to enter. It is a fabulous opportunity to showcase the region’s outstanding visitor offer and, with the winners automatically going on to compete at the national awards, to gain recognition as the best-of-the-best in England’s tourism industry.”
Last year, the East of England sent five winners to the national final, and they all won honours. Thorington Theatre, Piglets Boutique Country Stay, Watatunga Wildlife Reserve, and Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter all took gold, while The Unruly Pig bagged a silver.
The East of England Tourism Awards are a gathering of the very communities, businesses and people that help make our region one of the top destinations for tourism.
Entries are welcomed from businesses, but we also urge you to nominate your favourite destinations from across the East of England, be that your perfect hotel, an awesome attraction, or somewhere with incredible customer service.
The deadline for entries and nominations is Sunday, September 17, 2023. Please visit tourismawards.co.uk for more information or to submit an entry or nomination.
To find out more about the categories, please click here.
Categories
Outstanding Contribution to Tourism - Sponsored by Hoseasons
Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism - Sponsored by Swiss Camplings
Large Hotel of the Year - Sponsored by Ensors Chartered Accountants
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year - Sponsored by Howes Percival
Pub of the Year - Sponsored by Everard Cole
Self Catering Accommodation of the Year - Sponsored by cottages.com
Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award
B&B and Guest House of the Year
Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
Experience of the Year
New Tourism Business of the Year
Small Hotel of the Year
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
Taste of East of England Award
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