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Eligibility criteria

General criteria:
Unless stated otherwise in the criteria for the specific award, all businesses must meet the following criteria:

All businesses MUST be based within Lancashire.

IMPORTANT: Those categories marked with VE are eligible to progress to the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence / national awards competition (subject to meeting criteria).

Businesses that have been trading for at least three months and up to two years when applications open, are strongly recommended to apply to the New Tourism Business of the Year category before considering applying to any other categories. 

For the purpose of eligibility for this competition, ‘trading’ means serving customers. If the business has not been trading this long, then they will need to wait to apply to the competition in 2024/25.

Businesses must be directly involved in tourism, making a contribution to the visitor economy with a significant proportion of business generated by people visiting from outside the local area.

Meets the tourism product definition:
Only tourism businesses who directly serve the end-users are eligible (i.e. the tourist/ visitor/ guest). Business to business agencies or intermediaries e.g. that manage business to consumer (B2C) presence for tourism businesses; would not be eligible.

• ‘Tourism product’ covers a number of different categories including:

Accommodation e.g. hotels, bed & breakfasts, guest houses, self-catering/serviced apartments, hostels, holiday boats, camping, caravanning, glamping, lodges, shepherds huts, chalets
Hospitality i.e. a single food and beverage service business e.g. pub, restaurant, café, tea room, coffee shop, bistros, food and drink markets, kiosks & street food (in a regular location). [For these purposes the definition of a food and drink market is a collection of independent food and drink establishments with ancillary services (e.g. parking area, toilets, security, visitor information) and maintained by a management firm as an entity.]

• Businesses that serve food must have a minimum food hygiene rating of three out of five. The competition organisers reserve the right to refuse an application if this minimum requirement is not met at any point prior to the awards ceremony. An exception is made for new businesses who have not yet been graded
  o Transport services e.g. rail, road, water, airports and rental
  o Guided tours
  o Cultural services, e.g. theatres, musical entertainment venues, sporting venues
  o Travel agencies and other reservation services, including tour operators and destination management companies
  o Sporting, adventure and recreational activities
  o Retail i.e. a single retail outlet or shopping centre that attracts a significant number of people visiting from outside the local area [For these purposes the definition of a shopping centre is a collection of independent retail stores with ancillary services (e.g. parking area, toilets, security, visitor information) and maintained by a management firm as an entity.]
  o Businesses providing supporting services to visitors in-person within the destination e.g. visitor information providers, left luggage services
  o Visitor attractions that meet the visitor attraction definition: a permanently established excursion destination, a primary purpose of which is to allow access for entertainment, interest, or education and can include places of worship; rather than being primarily a retail outlet or a venue for sporting, theatrical, or film performances. It must be open to the public, with or without prior booking, for published periods each year, and should be capable of attracting day visitors or tourists as well as local residents.

Applications from a chain or group operator must relate to a single site and not multiple sites.

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award – VE
Recognises tourism businesses that excel in providing an inclusive customer experience, particularly for those with accessibility requirements.

Must meet the general criteria laid out at the top of the page as well as the following:
• Events and festivals may  apply, if they fulfil the following criteria:

• An application can relate to an event/ festival that was held in 2022 or 2023. If it was held in 2022, it must take place again at least once between 01 January 2023 and 31 March 2024
• The event/ festival must have the intention to be re-occurring (taking place at least once every two years), and by the time of national judging (March/April 2024) must have a date already confirmed and published for an event/festival to be held after 31 March 2024
• For event companies that run several events/ festivals, the application must relate specifically to one named event/ festival
• Businesses of all sizes can apply as this category is judged within the context and style of the business.

Business Events Venue of the year – VE
Recognises business events venues that demonstrate an excellent understanding of the market, exceed the expectations of their clients and have a strategic plan for future development within this area, with clear goals.

• Must meet the general criteria laid out at the top of the page as well as the following:
• Any venue that hosts business events (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions, MICE) and actively works to increase MICE business e.g. hotels, conference centres, exhibition venues
• Clients may be from the UK as well as from international markets
• Businesses of all sizes can apply as this category is judged within the context and style of the business.

Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year -VE
Recognises holiday parks, sites and villages that provide exceptional guest experiences across static vans, touring pitches, shepherd’s huts and more.

• Must meet the general criteria laid out at the top of the page as well as the following:
  Directly involved in tourism, making a contribution to the visitor economy with a significant proportion of business generated by people visiting from outside the local area
• Businesses whose main offer is holiday parks, sites, villages, camping and glamping
• Holiday parks/sites with static vans, touring pitches, tent pitches, glamping and other accommodation such as shepherd’s huts, or any combination
• A non-serviced accommodation business may consider this category or Self Catering Accommodation of the Year – choosing the category that best suits their business and only entering one
• Sites ranging from small static caravan parks with no added services and facilities, up to larger sites with many on-site facilities, some of which might be open to the public
• Holiday villages offering room only or self catering accommodation e.g. lodges and chalets. A holiday village is typically a complex with a range of facilities and activities available
• Holiday parks that consist entirely of units that are owned may apply if used by owners for holiday purposes only (not as a permanent residence)

 Cultural Venue / Organisation Of The Year
Recognises culture and heritage based experiences that engage with both residents and visitors.

Must meet the general criteria laid out at the top of the page as well as the following:
Any business can enter that provides an outstanding Culture based experience for its audience.
Entries could be a one-off event or a body of work over a period of time.

Entries could include the following:
• Museums
• Galleries
• Heritage sites
• Dance
• Drama
• Visual Arts
• Music
• Film
• Theatre
• Religious venues and places of worship
• Other cultural venues.

Judges will be looking for evidence of how you engage with audiences, how you reach new market segments, how you have developed over the last 3 years, how the organisation makes a valuable contribution to the local economy, diversity, continuity, and a legacy.

Dog Friendly Business of the Year
Recognises providers of truly memorable experiences for dogs and their human companions.
Businesses of all sizes can apply as this category is judged within the context and style of the business.
Directly involved in tourism, making a contribution to the visitor economy with a significant proportion of business generated by people visiting from outside the local area.

Meets the tourism product definition: ‘Tourism product’ covers a number of different categories including:
• Accommodation e.g. hotels, bed & breakfasts, guest houses, self-catering/serviced apartments, holiday boats, camping, caravanning, glamping, lodges, shepherds huts, chalets
• Hospitality i.e. food and beverage service businesses e.g. pubs, restaurants, cafés, tea rooms, coffee shops, bistros
• Transport services e.g. rail, road, water, air networks and rental
• Sporting venues and theatres that have a tour, museum or exhibition element included
• Guided tours
• Travel agencies and other reservation services, including tour operators and destination management companies
• Sporting, adventure and recreational activities
• Retail i.e. a single retail outlet or shopping centre that attracts a significant number of people visiting from outside the local area
• Businesses providing supporting services to visitors e.g. visitor information providers, left luggage services
• Visitor attractions that meet the visitor attraction definition: a permanently established excursion destination, a primary purpose of which is to allow access for entertainment, interest, or education and can include places of worship; rather than being primarily a retail outlet or a venue for sporting, theatrical, or film performances. It must be open to the public, with or without prior booking, for published periods each year, and should be capable of attracting day visitors or tourists as well as local residents.

Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award – VE
Recognises tourism businesses from across the visitor economy who are truly committed to being sustainable, responsible and ethical in how they operate and interact with customers, the wider community and the environment

• Must meet the general criteria laid out at the top of the page as well as the following:
  Events and festivals, if they fulfil the following criteria:
  • An application can relate to an event/ festival that was held in 2022 or 2023. If it was held in 2022, it must take place again at least once between 01 January 2023 and 31 March 2024
  • The event/ festival must have the intention to be re-occurring (taking place at least once every two years), and by the time of national judging (March/April 2024) must have a date already confirmed and published for an event/festival to be held after 31 March 2024
  • For event companies that run several events/ festivals, the application must relate specifically to one named event/ festival
• Applications from a chain or group operator must relate to a single site and not multiple sites.
• Businesses that have been trading for at least three months and up to two years when applications open are strongly recommended to apply to the New Tourism Business of the Year category before considering applying to any other categories.
• For the purpose of eligibility for this competition, ‘trading’ means serving customers. If the business has not been trading this long, then they will need to wait to apply to the competition in 2024/25

Experience of the Year – VE
Recognises providers of memorable and immersive activities for visitors to participate in, from cooking masterclasses to woodland nature tours.

• Must meet the general criteria laid out at the top of the page as well as the following:
  The application must relate to one named experience only. Businesses that provide multiple experiences can enter the relevant visitor attraction category (if eligible)
• Any visitor experience that requires participation in an activity
• The experience may involve a host/teacher/instructor/guide or may be undertaken independently
• Likely to be immersive and interactive
• Typically experiences will be learning, adventure or relaxation based
• Likely to fall under one of these themes:
  • Wellness and well-being (e.g. spa)
  • Sporting and active (e.g. caving)
  • Environment (e.g. beach cleaning, dry stone walling)
  • Arts & culture (e.g. guided tours, pottery making)
  • Culinary (e.g. cookery courses)
• The named experience must be taking place during the published judging dates and must occur on a regular and ongoing basis. One-off, seasonal or short-term experiences are classed as events and festivals, and as such, are not eligible to apply to this category
• Food service experiences are not eligible for this category and should consider the Taste of England Award category, which assesses the quality of food and drink served to the visitor.
• Businesses that are eligible to apply for the Large/Small Visitor Attraction of the Year category are strongly advised to apply for that category rather than Experience of the Year
• An experience located at a visitor attraction may only apply to this category if it can be booked separately to the main attraction and can be accessed without the need to pay for or visit the main attraction e.g. the Bombay Sapphire Distillery is eligible to apply for the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year category, which includes its ‘Discovery Experience’ as part of the standard admission ticket (therefore it would not be eligible for this category), but they could enter their ‘Gin Cocktail Masterclass’ within the Experience of the Year category as this is a separate experience not available to all visitors
• Businesses that serve food must have a minimum food hygiene rating of three out of five. The competition organisers reserve the right to refuse an application if this minimum requirement is not met at any point prior to the awards ceremony. An exception is made for new businesses who have not yet been graded
• Businesses of all sizes can apply as this category is judged within the context and style of the business
• Businesses that have been trading for at least three months and up to two years when applications open are strongly recommended to apply to the New Tourism Business of the Year category before considering applying to any other categories
  • For the purpose of eligibility for this competition, ‘trading’ means serving customers. If the business has not been trading this long, then they will need to wait to apply to the competition in 2024/25

 Family owned / run business

Recognises family businesses directly involved in tourism in Lancashire, demonstrating that family members and family values are making an impact in their business, industry and community.

For the purpose of this award, family business is defined as:

“A business where members of a family own enough of the equity to be able to exert control over strategy and are involved in top management positions”

Must meet the general criteria laid out at the top of the page.

Hospitality & Tourism Student of the Year Award

• Nominees must be studying a course directly involved in tourism, hospitality or events at an FE College in Lancashire.
• Will be an individual rather than a team.
• Can be self-nominated or can be nominated by a tutor, placement manager or by a local awards competition judge.
• Demonstrates exceptional commitment, passion and enthusiasm for their studies and the tourism industry; exceeds expectations and is an inspiration to their peers.
• Studying in any area of hospitality; does not need to be in a customer-facing function.
• Unlikely to be a business owner or a senior manager.
• May be new to the tourism industry or have worked in the industry for some time.
• Only one application is required per nominee.
• If the nominee moves college or placement between nomination and the awards ceremony, they will remain eligible, provided they are still studying in a tourism or hospitality related subject and their new tutor support their nomination.

Lancashire Perfect Stay – Small serviced Accommodation provider – VE
Recognises smaller serviced accommodation businesses providing truly memorable guest experiences and demonstrating excellence across every aspect of the business.

• Directly involved in tourism, making a contribution to the visitor economy with a significant proportion of business generated by people visiting from outside the local area
• This is a broad category for all types and styles of small serviced accommodation except large ‘full service’ hotels, as these have their own category
• Likely to offer up to 35 bedrooms. However, serviced accommodation businesses with more than 35 bedrooms can apply if they consider themselves appropriate for this category

For B&B and guest house style properties:

• Proprietor considers their business to be a bed & breakfast or guest house and promotes it as such
• The proprietor or a staff member likely to live on site
• Likely to offer a maximum of 12 guest bedrooms. However, businesses with more than 12 bedrooms can apply if they consider themselves appropriate for this category
• Property may also be the proprietor’s home
• Most likely to be run by the owner(s) with few or no additional staff
• Guests are likely to have direct interaction with proprietor
• Breakfast must be available on site, adjacent or close to the premises

For small hotel style properties:

• Offers a selection of hotel services, which are likely to include some or all of: reception, restaurant, bar, dinner and breakfast
• A serviced accommodation business may consider this category or the Large Hotel of the Year – choosing the category that best suits their business and only entering one
• Businesses that serve food must have a minimum food hygiene rating of three out of five. The competition organisers reserve the right to refuse an application if this minimum requirement is not met at any point prior to the awards ceremony. An exception is made for new businesses who have not yet been graded
• Businesses that have been trading for at least three months and up to two years when applications open are strongly recommended to apply to the New Tourism Business of the Year category before considering applying to any other categories
  • For the purpose of eligibility for this competition, ‘trading’ means serving customers. If the business has not been trading this long, then they will need to wait to apply to the competition in 2024/25
• Applications from a chain or group operator must relate to a single site and not multiple sites

Large Event of the Year (15,000+ Visitors)
Recognises providers of truly memorable and immersive tourism events.

If your event is outside the application period contact us at [email protected] without delay so we can explore options.

• Must meet the general criteria laid out at the top of the page as well as the following:
  This award covers events and festivals of a substantial nature attracting 15,000+ visitors.
• The event can be for either a paid entry or free audience/attendance event. The event can be a one off or an annual event with a proven track record. It should be noted that the supporting evidence in the submissions for this category are particularly important as any final assessment is likely to be retrospective.

Judges will be looking for evidence of innovation and a sense of distinctiveness that adds to an event’s appeal to the visitor. Please also provide evidence of the profile this brings to the local community and the contribution the event makes to Lancashire.

Large Hotel of the Year – VE
Recognises large full-service hotels that provide exemplary service, a top-quality food offering and a stay that guests will remember for years to come.

• Directly involved in tourism, making a contribution to the visitor economy with a significant proportion of business generated by people visiting from outside the local area
• A full service hotel – that must include a reception/ check-in area, restaurant, bar, dinner and breakfast
• Likely to offer a minimum of 35 bedrooms. However, a business with fewer than 35 bedrooms can apply if it is a full service hotel with extensive facilities
• A serviced accommodation business may consider this category, Small Hotel of the Year or B&B and Guest House of the Year – choosing the category that best suits their business and only entering one
• A serviced apartment business must apply via the Self Catering Accommodation of the Year category and not this category
• Businesses that serve food must have a minimum food hygiene rating of three out of five. The competition organisers reserve the right to refuse an application if this minimum requirement is not met at any point prior to the awards ceremony. An exception is made for new businesses who have not yet been graded
• Businesses that have been trading for at least three months and up to two years when applications open are strongly recommended to apply to the New Tourism Business of the Year category before considering applying to any other categories
• For the purpose of eligibility for this competition, ‘trading’ means serving customers. If the business has not been trading this long, then they will need to wait to apply to the competition in 2024/25
• Applications from a chain or group operator must relate to a single site and not multiple sites

 

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year – VE
Recognises large visitor attractions that provide truly memorable visitor experiences and demonstrate excellence across every aspect of the business.

• Directly involved in tourism, making a contribution to the visitor economy with a significant proportion of business generated by people visiting from outside the local area

Meets the visitor attraction definition:

“…a permanently established excursion destination, a primary purpose of which is to allow access for entertainment, interest, or education and can include places of worship; rather than being primarily a retail outlet or a venue for sporting, theatrical, or film performances. It must be open to the public, with or without prior booking, for published periods each year, and should be capable of attracting day visitors or tourists as well as local residents.”

• Attracts 75,000 visitors or more per year, or employs more than 10 full-time equivalent members of staff
• Is capable of attracting day visitors, tourist and local residents
• May occasionally require pre-booking for a visit or activity
• Retail outlets, sporting venues and theatres are not eligible to apply unless there is also a tour, museum or exhibition element included
• Guided tours that are not based within a visitor attraction should apply for the relevant Experience of the Year category
• Businesses that are eligible to apply to both the small or large visitor attraction of the year category must choose the one that best suits their business and only enter one

New Tourism Business of the Year – VE
Recognises high performing new tourism businesses, demonstrating excellent understanding of their market, exceeding the expectations of their customers with clear plans for future development.

• Must meet the general criteria laid out at the top of the page as well as the following:
  Has been trading for at least three months and up to two years when applications open (for first applicable local/regional competition)
  • For the purpose of eligibility for this competition, ‘trading’ means serving customers. If the business has not been trading for at least three months, then they will need to wait to apply to the competition in 2024/2025
• An existing business that has diversified by adding a new product at the same location or a different location may only apply if the new product is marketed as a standalone operation, and is available independently to the other products offered by the business. An existing business that has undergone a refurbishment or re-vamp would not be eligible
• An existing business with new owners will only be eligible if a fundamental change to the business has occurred within two years of the new owners starting trading. A fundamental change would include at least two of the following:
  • significant investment
  • rebrand/ name change/ change to Companies House registration
  • Change in target market
• Events and festivals, if they fulfil the following criteria:
  • An application can relate to an event/ festival that was held in 2022 or 2023. If it was held in 2022, it must take place again at least once between 01 January 2023 and 31 March 2024
  • The event/ festival must have the intention to be re-occurring (taking place at least once every two years), and by the time of national judging (March/April 2024) must have a date already confirmed and published for an event/festival to be held after 31 March 2024
  • For event companies that run several events/ festivals, the application must relate specifically to one named event/ festival
• Businesses of all sizes can apply as this category is judged within the context and style of the business
• If the business has previously won (overall winner/ Gold winner) New Tourism Business of the Year, they are not eligible to enter this category again
• Applications from a chain or group operator must relate to a single site and not multiple sites

Pub of the Year -VE
Recognises pubs that make a significant contribution to tourism in their area, with a food and drink offering that includes quality locally sourced produce.

• A single pub site from an independent, chain or group operator
• Offers food and the option to drink and not dine
  • B. Any pub offering accommodation, the accommodation is not judged within this category
• Has a unique selling point that might be food, theme or entertainment
• A pub may consider this category or the Taste of England Award – choosing the category that best suits their business and only entering one

Resilience and Innovation Award
Recognises businesses within the tourism industry that have demonstrated great innovation, resilience and adaptation during and after a crisis or period of adversity.

Must meet the general criteria laid out at the top of the page as well as the following:
• Events and festivals are not eligible to apply to this category due to the likelihood of VisitEngland Awards for Excellence winners not being announced until one or two years after the event took place e.g. an event taking place in 2022 may not be recognised by VisitEngland until 2024; the event may have ceased or declined in quality since then.
• Businesses of all sizes can apply as this category is judged within the context and style of the business.

Small Event of the Year (Fewer than 15,000 Visitors)
Recognises providers of truly memorable and immersive tourism events.

If your event is outside the application period contact us at [email protected] without delay so we can explore options.

Must meet the general criteria laid out at the top of the page as well as the following:

This award covers events and festivals attracting fewer than 15,000 visitors.

The event can be for either a paid entry or free audience/attendance event. The event can be a one off or an annual event with a proven track record. It should be noted that the supporting evidence in the submissions for this category are particularly important as any final assessment is likely to be retrospective.

Judges will be looking for evidence of innovation and a sense of distinctiveness that adds to an event’s appeal to the visitor. Please also provide evidence of the profile this brings to the local community and the contribution the event makes to Lancashire.

Self Catering Accommodation of the Year – VE
Recognises self catering accommodation businesses that provide the highest quality holidays and help to create fabulous memories for all their guests, from romantic hideaways to family-friendly breaks.

• Businesses whose main offer is self catering accommodation including cottages, houses, historic properties (or part thereof), holiday boats, barn conversions, apartments, hostels and serviced apartments etc
• A non-serviced accommodation business may consider this category or Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year – choosing the category that best suits their business and only entering one
• A single self-catering property or a collection of self-catering properties in one location (on a single site) owned by the same proprietor and of a similar quality
• A business with multiple properties across different locations is not eligible to apply in its entirety. This includes agencies. However, an application may be completed for a specific location (on a single site) if it is clearly identified within any marketing e.g. website
• Large self catering accommodation complexes (e.g. with chalets and lodges) with a range of facilities and activities available should apply for the Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year category

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year – VE

Meets the visitor attraction definition:

“…a permanently established excursion destination, a primary purpose of which is to allow access for entertainment, interest, or education and can include places of worship; rather than being primarily a retail outlet or a venue for sporting, theatrical, or film performances. It must be open to the public, with or without prior booking, for published periods each year, and should be capable of attracting day visitors or tourists as well as local residents.”

• Attracts 75,000 visitors or fewer per year or employs 10 or fewer full-time equivalent members of staff
• Is capable of attracting day visitors, tourist and local residents
• May occasionally require pre-booking for a visit or activity
• Retail outlets, sporting venues and theatres are not eligible to apply unless there is also a tour, museum or exhibition element included
• Guided tours that are not based within a visitor attraction should apply for the relevant Experience of the Year category
• Businesses that are eligible to apply to both the small or large visitor attraction of the year category must choose the one that best suits their business and only enter one

Taste Lancashire Award – VE
Recognises businesses within the tourism industry that offer outstanding cuisine, innovative service and excellence throughout their entire operation.

• Food service businesses including restaurants, hotel restaurants, cafés, tea rooms, coffee shops, bistros, foodhalls etc. [For these purposes the definition of a foodhall/ food and drink market is a collection of independent food and drink establishments with ancillary services (e.g. parking area, toilets, security, visitor information) and maintained by a management firm as an entity.]
• Ideally offers the option for table service, or at least a dining area with table and chairs. Counter service cafés, for example, would be eligible, as long as there are elements of ‘service’ provided, e.g. ordering at counter, payment at tills and clearing tables
• Access to toilet facilities that are either within or adjacent to the business
• The business must be open to the public/ non-residents and does not require payment of an admission fee to access the eatery
• A single site from an independent, chain or group operator
• A pub may consider this category or Pub of the Year – choosing the category that best suits their business and only entering one
• Businesses that serve food must have a minimum food hygiene rating of three out of five. The competition organisers reserve the right to refuse an application if this minimum requirement is not met at any point prior to the awards ceremony. An exception is made for new businesses who have not yet been graded
• Food related events and festivals are not eligible to apply
• Businesses of all sizes can apply as this category is judged within the context and style of the business

Taste Lancashire Producer
Recognises Lancashire businesses that create local Lancashire food or drink contributing to the visitor experience by championing Lancashire distinctiveness.

They will either have a visitor offering and/or demonstrate a dedicated promotion of Lancashire through their product and routes to market.

The judges will be looking for creativity in the use of quality local ingredients, materials and/or methods.

Businesses of all sizes can apply as this category is judged within the context and style of the business.

 

Unsung Hero Award – VE
Recognises an individual working for a tourism business who excels in their role and deserves to be applauded for their work and commitment to the industry.

• Works for a business that meets the following criteria:
• Only tourism businesses who directly serve the end-users and who control the visitor experience are eligible (i.e. the tourist/ visitor/ guest). Business to business agencies or intermediaries e.g. that manage business to consumer (B2C) presence for tourism businesses without control over the experience delivered, would not be eligible.
• This includes a number of different types of business:
• Accommodation e.g. hotels, bed & breakfasts, guest houses, self-catering/serviced apartments, hostels, holiday boats, camping, caravanning, glamping, lodges, shepherds huts, chalets
• Hospitality i.e. a single food and beverage service business e.g. pub, restaurant, café, tea room, coffee shop, bistros, foodhalls, food and drink markets, kiosks & street food (in a regular location). [For these purposes the definition of a foodhall/ food and drink market is a collection of independent food and drink establishments with ancillary services (e.g. parking area, toilets, security, visitor information) and maintained by a management firm as an entity.]
• Transport services e.g. rail, road, water, airports and rental
• Guided tours
• Cultural services, e.g. theatres, musical entertainment venues, sporting venues
• Business events venues
• Sporting, adventure and recreational activities
• Retail i.e. a single retail outlet or shopping centre that attracts a significant number of people visiting from outside the local area [For these purposes the definition of a shopping centre is a collection of independent retail stores with ancillary services (e.g. parking area, toilets, security, visitor information) and maintained by a management firm as an entity.]
• Businesses providing supporting services to visitors in-person within the destination e.g. visitor information providers, left luggage services
• Visitor attractions that meet the visitor attraction definition: a permanently established excursion destination, a primary purpose of which is to allow access for entertainment, interest, or education and can include places of worship; rather than being primarily a retail outlet or a venue for sporting, theatrical, or film performances. It must be open to the public, with or without prior booking, for published periods each year, and should be capable of attracting day visitors or tourists as well as local residents.
• Travel agencies and other reservation services, including tour operators and destination management companies
• Events and festivals, if they fulfil the following criteria:
  • An application can relate to an event/ festival that was held in 2022 or 2023. If it was held in 2022, it must take place again at least once between 01 January 2023 and 31 March 2024
  • The event/ festival must have the intention to be re-occurring (taking place at least once every two years), and by the time of national judging (March/April 2024) must have a date already confirmed and published for an event/festival to be held after 31 March 2024
  • For event companies that run several events/ festivals, the application must relate specifically to one named event/ festival
• Will be an individual and not a team
• Must be nominated by a colleague or by a local awards competition judge
• Demonstrates commitment, passion and enthusiasm for their work and the tourism industry; exceeds expectations and is an inspiration to their colleagues
• Nominees should not only be proficient in their role, but demonstrate going above and beyond, making a significant contribution
• Works in any area of the business; does not need to be in a customer-facing job role
• Unlikely to be a business owner or a senior manager
• May be new to the tourism industry or have worked in the industry for some time
• Only one application is required per nominee
• If the nominee moves business/organisation between nomination and the awards ceremony, they will remain eligible, provided they are still working in the tourism industry and their new employers support their nomination.

Wedding Venue
Recognises exclusive wedding venues that demonstrate an excellent understanding of the market, exceeding the expectations of their clients and contribute to the wider visitor economy.

Any business that hosts weddings exclusively and not within a hotel or restaurant setting. The venue may offer accommodation to wedding guests, but this is not considered a stand-alone service offering outside of wedding provision. Wedding venues which also offer hotel services as general sale should apply into the Hotel Wedding Venue category.

Judging will take account of all aspects of the wedding service provision, including the venue itself and other services offered to wedding guests

Businesses of all sizes can apply as this category is judged within the context and style of the business.

Special attention will be given to those demonstrating an innovative approach to the traditional wedding experience, who have developed new market opportunities or to those who have adapted, upgraded, or created new facilities linked to this specific market.

 

Hotel Wedding Venue
Recognises wedding venues that demonstrate an excellent understanding of the market, exceeding the expectations of their clients and contribute to the wider visitor economy.

Any business that hosts weddings in addition to their other hospitality activities such as accommodation or restaurant services which are available to the general public. Wedding venues which are exclusive to the wedding market should apply into the Wedding venue category.

Judging will take account of all aspects of the wedding service provision, including the venue itself and other services offered to wedding guests.

Businesses of all sizes can apply as this category is judged within the context and style of the business.

Special attention will be given to those demonstrating an innovative approach to the traditional wedding experience, who have developed new market opportunities or to those who have adapted, upgraded, or created new facilities linked to this specific market.