Seven Northwest finalists up for English tourism ‘Oscars’

23rd February 2009

Seven businesses from England’s Northwest have been shortlisted for some of the tourism industry’s highest accolades. Organised annually by Visit Britain, the Enjoy England Awards for Excellence recognise the best of the country’s tourism businesses and professionals.

This year the Northwest has the highest number of nominees, beating other tourism hotspots including London and the South West and highlighting the strength of the region’s tourism industry.  

All of the shortlisted nominees have already won at the England’s Northwest Tourism Awards organised by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and will now be pitted against their counterparts from across England at the Awards Ceremony in York on St George’s Day, April 23rd.  

The finalists were selected by a board of tourism industry judges including Nick Cust, a member of the VisitEngland board, and travel journalist Alison Rice. The Northwest finalists are:

Augill Castle,Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria – Bed and Breakfast of the Year

The Quaker Tapestry, Kendal, Cumbria – Small Visitor Attraction of the Year

Rheged Centre, Penrith, Cumbria – Business Tourism Award

Park Cliffe Caravan Park, Windermere, Cumbria – Caravan/Holiday Park of the Year

Manchester International Festival – Tourism Experience of the Year

Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester – Best Tourism Website

The Beach House, Blackpool – Self Catering Holiday of the Year

Felicity Goodey, Chair of Tourism England’s Northwest said:

“This is great news for England’s Northwest and recognition of the  quality, excellent service and value for money which visitors are finding across the region. These national finalists join our rapidly growing band of past winners. They are leading the way in establishing England’s Northwest as a major visitor destination which continues to attract good business even in the present economic climate.”

VisitEngland Chairman Hugh Taylor said:

“On our 20th Anniversary, we are delighted that there is such a broad range of exciting, high quality holiday experiences on offer in England particularly as holidaymakers are looking to take a break closer to home this year. Value for money is another major consideration as purse strings continue to tighten. Each year the judging proves more and more difficult which is a positive reflection on the rising quality of the tourism offering in England. The finalists have been chosen for leading the way in terms of innovation through continued investment whilst also maintaining consistently high quality and standards in their field.”