Cumbria’s world-class tourism businesses have the chance to share their stand-out success stories as nominations open for the Cumbria Tourism Awards 2023.
The countdown is on to find the shining stars in customer service and innovation, as the county’s visitor economy continues its post-pandemic fight-back despite rising costs and tough financial challenges for all.
Cumbria’s tourism-related businesses have five weeks from today until 5pm on Friday 3 March to enter one or more of the 16 categories and share their achievements from the last 12 months.
It’s a chance for a wide range of tourism and hospitality businesses to shout about their achievements, from restaurants, guesthouses and B&Bs to self-catering accommodation, hotels, pubs and visitor attractions/experiences. That includes recognising people of all ages who are making their mark on an increasingly diverse and innovative tourism sector.
The finalists will be selected by an independent panel of industry experts, giving them an opportunity to walk the red carpet at a VIP awards ceremony this summer.
Eligible winners in many of the categories will also automatically feed into the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2024, for the chance to gain national recognition.
The full list of categories for the Cumbria Tourism Awards 2023 includes:
- Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
- B&B & Guest House of the Year sponsored by Lamont Pridmore
- Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park of the Year
- Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award
- Experience of the Year
- Large Hotel of the Year sponsored by Christie & Co
- Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
- Makers and Producers Award
- New Tourism Business Award sponsored by Thomson Hayton Winkley
- Pub of the Year
- Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year sponsored by The Cumberland
- Small Hotel of the Year sponsored by Colliers International
- Small Visitor Attraction of the Year sponsored by Dodd & Co
- Taste of Cumbria Award
- The Sheila Hensman Unsung Hero Award
- Wedding Venue of the Year
Managing Director of Cumbria Tourism, Gill Haigh, says, “Our tourism businesses offer the highest quality to visitors – during what continues to be the toughest ever periods for Cumbria’s visitor economy – and the Cumbria Tourism Awards are a fantastic way for them to showcase what they do to the wider world.
“To win – or be shortlisted for – an award is a fantastic way for operators to show they are investing not only in their products and services, but also in their staff and ultimately their customers.
“The whole process of entering the Cumbria Tourism Awards can also help gather invaluable feedback and insights into a business and how it can grow, develop and innovate for the future. Businesses tell us it’s a really constructive process, with thorough feedback which genuinely supports them and builds pride for the whole team.”
She adds, “It will be a privilege to bring an array of tourism-related operators together this summer to mark their achievements and I have no doubt the judges will have a very tough task on their hands to choose the ultimate winners!”
Full details on how to enter can be found at www.cumbriatourism.org/awards. Businesses do not need to be a member of Cumbria Tourism to apply.
Cumbria Tourism is also holding a free, practical workshop on Wednesday 8 February to help applicants prepare their entries against the criteria laid down by VisitEngland.
The Cumbria Tourism Awards are organised on a ‘not for profit’ basis and Cumbria Tourism is grateful to its sponsors for making the competition possible. They include headline sponsor United Utilities, our category sponsors (Christie & Co, Lamont Pridmore, The Cumberland, Dodd & Co, Colliers International and Thomson Hayton Winkley) and design sponsor Lawson Design.