The search is on to find the region’s finest tourism businesses, as entries open for the 2008 East Midlands Tourism Enjoy England Excellence Awards.

Awards organiser, East Midlands Tourism is looking for businesses that excel in delivering outstanding visitor experiences, and has introduced a new streamlined application process this year to help find those that are going the extra mile.

With 17 awards up for grabs businesses have until 23 May to get their entries in. The 2008 categories include Best Self Catering Holiday, Best Tourism Experience, Best Pub, Large and Small Hotels and Outstanding Customer Service. This year also sees the introduction of a new Access For All award which is aimed at businesses offering high levels of service and facilities to visitors with varying access requirements.

Winners from last year’s event have issued a rallying call to other tourism businesses to enter the awards. Among them is James Saunders Watson, owner of Rockingham Castle which won 2007 Small Visitor Attraction award: “As a previous runner up in these awards it was great to take gold at last year's event.  We worked hard to take the judges’ comments on board and it really paid off.  As a result of our regional success we now have a chance of going on to win gold in the national final which takes place later this month and to benefit from all of the recognition this will bring.  So much work goes on behind the scenes to ensure our visitors have a wonderful experience and it is great to have this acknowledged.  I would really recommend that other tourism businesses consider entering these awards.”

Alan Ritson, owner of The Old Bakery Restaurant with Rooms in Lincoln which won the Taste of England Award commented: “Although we are a relatively small business we have been fortunate enough to host some high profile visitors in the restaurant, including the cast of the Da Vinci Code while they were filming in Lincoln.” 

“No matter who our guests are or where they come from we always strive to deliver the highest levels of customer service possible which is why we were delighted to win the Taste of England Award.  We know that eating out is an essential part of any holiday so it is great to be able to play our part in supporting the visitor experience.  We would really encourage others to think about getting involved in these awards.  Attending last year's ceremony was a real highlight for the whole team."

Northamptonshire's Rockingham Castle, The Old Bakery Restaurant with Rooms in Lincoln and Nottingham Tourism Centre, regional winner of the Tourist Information Service award last year, will all be heading to the national ceremony, which takes place at Liverpool’s St Georges Hall on 23 April 2008.

Steve Brown, Chairman of East Midlands Tourism, echoes the businesses’ comments. “These awards are designed not only to identify the very best of the region’s tourism businesses, but to let those businesses set a benchmark to which the rest of the East Midlands tourism industry can aspire. They communicate an important message to visitors about the region’s commitment to service and also provide the region's tourism industry with an opportunity to raise its profile nationally.  We know there are a lot of really good businesses out there who are doing a great job and these awards provide them with the opportunity to come forward and have their contribution recognised. I would therefore urge them all to come forward and apply this year.  I wish our three national finalists the best of luck for the final in Liverpool later this month."

Businesses interested in entering this year’s awards should contact their local Destination Management Partnership or go to www.eastmidlandstourism.com

Georgina Heathcote:
Visit Peak District & Derbyshire: 01332 594542
 
Catherine Higham:
Experience Nottinghamshire: 0115 962 8322

Maria Chaideftou
Leicester Shire Promotions: 0116 225 4021
 
Sarah Gravelle
Lincolnshire Tourism: 01522 561673
 
Sue Kay
Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited: 01604 609539