visit england awards

VisitEngland’s 2024 ROSE Award winners announced

VisitEngland has today Wednesday 11 September revealed this year’s 100 winners of its ROSE Awards.

The ROSE Awards showcase the accommodation providers who give the warmest of welcomes and where the staff provide incredible experiences for their customers irrespective of star rating, style or type of accommodation.

VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said:

“The ROSE Awards recognise the accommodation providers in England who deliver a fantastic welcome, provide outstanding customer service and make magical memories for their visitors.  They create the bedrock on which tourists build their holiday memories, encouraging them to discover more of the area and driving tourism spend across local communities.

“From glamorous glamping to world leading B&Bs, from pubs to holiday parks, farms to rural retreats to self-catering cottages, there is a place to stay to suit all tastes and budgets in England with the awards highlighting the amazing diversity on offer.”

The ROSE Award winners were nominated by VisitEngland’s quality scheme assessors and selected from assessor comments and online feedback from overseas and domestic visitors. Recipients of the awards include all types of accommodation from B&Bs/guesthouses, self-catering and hotels to parks, glamping sites and hostels and cover a range of ratings from three to five stars, as well as accredited properties.

ROSE Award recipients are all part of the VisitEngland quality schemes and already demonstrate a commitment to delivering excellent service. 

The VisitEngland ROSE Awards 2024, now in their eighth year, were presented at an afternoon tea event on Wednesday 11 September at  The Post Barn, Old Oxford Road, Newbury, Berkshire.

Tourism is one of England’s largest, most valuable industries, supporting 200,000+ businesses, employing about 2.6 million people and, in 2023, generating £70.5 billion in domestic visitor spending.

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VisitEngland Accolades

For those who go the extra mile for their guests and visitors

The accolades

Gold and Silver Awards VisitEngland’s Gold and Silver Awards celebrate accommodation establishments that outperform in their category, offering exceptional quality within their star rating. The awards help guests find special places where hosts go the extra mile, whatever the size, style or star rating of the accommodation.

Our assessors make recommendations for Gold and Silver Awards based on their annual assessments. They’ll look at quality in all areas, especially housekeeping, service and hospitality, bedrooms, bathrooms and food (if provided). While star ratings are based on a combination of quality, range of facilities and level of service offered, Gold and Silver award are based solely on quality. Businesses must maintain the necessary scores for a Gold or Silver Award each year.

Gold Awards are available to participants in the Hotel, Bed and Breakfast, Self-catering (3* to 5*), Serviced Apartment, Glamping and Holiday Park (4* to 5*) schemes. Businesses nominated for a Gold Award may receive a second ‘mystery visit’ by an area manager before the award is confirmed. Silver Awards are available to participants in the Guest Accommodation and Hotel schemes.

Breakfast Award As part of their annual assessment of Hotels and Bed and Breakfast businesses, assessors will sample the breakfast, looking at the choice and range of dishes offered, presentation and culinary skills, quality of ingredients and produce, and breakfast service and hospitality. Those with exceptionally high scores will qualify for a VisitEngland Breakfast Award. Businesses must maintain the necessary scores for a Breakfast Award each year.

The small print Written assessment reports show the scores received in all areas, so owners can see how close they are to achieving an award and may ask for advice about how to improve.

Download scoresheets for star ratings and VisitEngland awards

Hotel score sheet

Holiday Parks score sheet

Self-Catering score sheet

Guest Accommodation score sheet

ROSE Awards

Our  ROSE (Recognition Of Service Excellence) Awards recognise accommodation businesses who truly go the extra mile for their guests.

Designed to showcase those establishments that provide the warmest of welcomes, the 100 annual recipients include accommodation businesses where the owners, managers and staff really know how to delight their customers, irrespective of their star rating, style or type of accommodation.

The 2023 winners were announced on 5 September 2023 at a special event at Great Fosters Hotel in Egham.

About the ROSE Awards

• Nominations are triggered following annual quality assessment visits, but other evidence, including online customer reviews are taken into account. The final judging panel also looks for innovation that sets the business apart. This includes facilities or services offered to make the customer’s stay really special.
• Each year we will announce another 100 recipients.
• Recipients can advertise their accolade as long as they remain in our quality scheme.

First introduced in 2014, VisitEngland Accolades are given to those businesses in our quality schemes which have gone the extra mile in providing a quality visitor experience. To receive an Accolade businesses must be a member of our Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme and nominated by a VisitEngland assessor.

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VisitEngland’s 2024 Rose Award: List of Yorkshire hotels, cottages, B&Bs and glamping winners of prestigious hospitality awards

This year’s VisitEngland Rose Award winners have been announced - and 13 hospitality businesses of hotels, cottages and B&Bs are based in Yorkshire.

On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, VisitEngland published 100 winners of its Rose Awards for 2024.

The Rose Awards celebrates and credits the accommodation providers across England who give the warmest of welcomes and where staff offer incredible experiences for their guests regardless of star rating, style or type of accommodation.

Many businesses across the country, including Yorkshire, pride themselves on providing top quality service to their customers and aim to put hospitality first above all else. The awards celebrate those who put their customers’ experiences and wellbeing first.

Director at VisitEngland, Andrew Stokes, said: "The ROSE Awards recognise the accommodation providers in England who deliver a fantastic welcome, provide outstanding customer service and make magical memories for their visitors.

"They create the bedrock on which tourists build their holiday memories, encouraging them to discover more of the area and driving tourism spend across local communities.

"From glamorous glamping to world leading B&Bs, from pubs to holiday parks, farms to rural retreats to self-catering cottages, there is a place to stay to suit all tastes and budgets in England with the awards highlighting the amazing diversity on offer.”

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The Rose Award winners were nominated by VisitEngland’s quality scheme assessors and selected from assessor comments and online feedback from overseas and domestic visitors.

Recipients of the awards include all types of accommodation from B&Bs/guesthouses, self-catering and hotels to parks, glamping sites and hostels and cover a range of ratings from three to five stars, as well as accredited properties.

There are 13 winners that are based in Yorkshire, below is a full list of them.

List of VisitEngland’s Rose Award winners in Yorkshire

Ann’s Cottage and The Old Smithy - Pickering (Guest Accommodation)

Archways at Loand House Court - Pickering (Self-Catering)

Barn Owl at Incline View Holidays - Great Ayton (Glamping)

Daisy at Killerby Old Hall - Cayton (Glamping)

Ellerbeck Cottage at Hungate Cottages - Pickering (Self-Catering)

MonkBridge House - York (Guest Accommodation)

Pasture House at Pasture House Holiday Cottages - Driffield (Self-Catering)

Sherlock Cottage - Whitby (Self-Catering)

The Farrier - Scarborough (Guest Accommodation)

The Helaina - Scarborough (Guest Accommodation)

The Moorings - Whitby (Self-Catering)

The White Bear - Masham (Guest Accommodation)

Urlay Nook - Leyburn (Self-Catering)

Bristol holiday cottage in 'stunning' gardens wins Visit England self-catering award

It boasts "picturesque, colourful and splendorous gardens", an aviary, a carp pond, views across rolling countryside and is described as "perfect for a romantic getaway"

• 10:26, 12 SEP 2024

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A Bristol holiday cottage has won a prestigious Visit England award. The Annexe, Yew Tree Cottage in Wick, was awarded the Rose Award as the only Bristol venue included in the list of South West winners in the self-catering category for 2024.

According to the Visit Britain website, The Rose Awards "recognises the accommodation providers across England who provide visitors with the warmest of welcomes. They celebrate the establishments where owners, management and employees, irrespective of their star rating, style or type of accommodation, provide outstanding experiences for their customers".

The Rose Award winners were nominated by Visit England’s quality scheme assessors and selected from assessor comments and online feedback from overseas and domestic visitors. Recipients of the awards include all types of accommodation from B&Bs/guesthouses, self-catering and hotels to parks, glamping sites and hostels, and cover a range of ratings from three to five stars, as well as accredited properties.

The Visit England Rose Awards 2024, now in their eighth year, were presented at an afternoon tea event in Berkshire.

The Annexe at Yew Tree Cottage is described as being "nestled in the grounds of stunning gardens that overlook the picturesque fields surrounding the property". Its website adds: "Rated 4 Star Gold by Visit England, our Annexe offers a luxurious and comfortable stay for guests looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

"With easy access to the nearby Cotswold and Mendip regions, the Annexe is the perfect base for exploring the stunning countryside and taking part in outdoor activities such as walking, cycling, and bird watching. Located on a small lane, The Annexe Yew Tree Cottage offers peace and tranquillity, while also being conveniently located near the vibrant cities of Bath and Bristol.

"Whether you're looking for a romantic getaway, or simply a peaceful retreat, our Annexe in the countryside is the perfect destination for you."

Its owners, Mark and Marie-France, shared a photo of themselves accepting their award to Facebook on Wednesday. The caption simply said: "We have won an Award!" Fans taking to the comments said the award was "well deserved", congratulating the couple for their hard work.

The Annexe sleeps two people, has an expansive outdoor area, on-site parking and boasts a plethora of local walks nearby. While pets aren't allowed, the single storey accommodation is equipped with a range of features to help its tenants enjoy a 'cosy, comfortable and relaxing stay' - from a fully equipped kitchen with a washing machine, to comfortable sofa, armchair, flat screen TV and DVD player.

The bedroom features a king-size bed with high quality cotton bed linen, lots of storage space and the bathroom has a power shower and heated towel rail - there's even free Wi-Fi across the whole property. And, what's more, with the bedroom located on the side of the property and being west facing, guests can enjoy beautiful sunsets as they settle in for the night.

The cottage boasts a large garden, with a table for enjoying outdoor meals. You can walk around the garden and admire the flowers, watch the canaries in the aviary and spot carps swimming in the pond. And you're surrounded by farms and rolling hills, so enshrouded in peace and quiet.

One reviewer said: "What a lovely stay we had at The Annexe Yew Tree Cottage. Such a picturesque cottage, the gardens are amazing, the colourful splendour of the flowers and the setting just blew us away.

"The cottage is immaculate inside and out, and set in such tranquil surroundings. We couldn't fault a thing with this amazing holiday cottage. Our hosts were brilliant, very helpful regarding places to visit in the area, very friendly, and who made our stay very enjoyable."

The Annexe is available all year round - you can take a look around the whole property online and find out more here .

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• Suffolk and Norfolk Tourism Awards

2024 Winners

Celebrating the 2024 suffolk and norfolk tourism awards winners.

The 2024 Suffolk and Norfolk Tourism Awards showcased the incredible talent and dedication of the region’s tourism businesses. From luxurious hotels to unique visitor experiences, these businesses demonstrated outstanding service, innovation, and contribution to East of England’s vibrant tourism industry. Each winner exemplified the high standards that define our region.

Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Sponsored By Hoseasons

Winner: andy wood obe, accessible and inclusive tourism award sponsored by first bus, winner: colchester zoo – essex.

Finalists: Colchester Castle – Essex ROARR! – Norfolk

Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year

Winner: applewood countryside park – norfolk.

Finalists: Albion Nights – Norfolk Deepdale Camping & Rooms – Norfolk

Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award Sponsored by Swiss Camplings

Winner: mill farm eco barns – norfolk.

Finalists: Holkham – Norfolk Markshall – Essex

Experience of the Year

Winner: hertfordshire zoo – hertfordshire.

Finalists: Eastwood Whelpton Sailing Holidays – Norfolk Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park – Suffolk

Large Hotel of the Year Sponsored By Ensors Chartered Accountants

Winner: wivenhoe house hotel – essex.

Finalists: Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate – Essex Turing Locke – Cambridgeshire

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year Sponsored by Howes Percival

Winner: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – Hertfordshire

Finalists: Hertfordshire Zoo – Hertfordshire ROARR! – Norfolk

New Tourism Business of the Year

Winner: potters resorts five lakes – essex.

Finalists: Fire and Feast Suffolk – Suffolk The Bell Hotel, Saxmundham – Suffolk

Pub of the Year Sponsored By Everard Cole

Winner: the three horseshoes – essex.

Finalists: The Angel at Watlington – Norfolk The Lion – Suffolk

Self Catering Accommodation of the Year Sponsored By cottages.com

Winner: bethnal&bec luxury stays – hertfordshire.

Finalists: LandyCampers – Essex The Suffolk Escape – Suffolk

Small Serviced Accommodation of the Year

Winner: the assembly house norwich – norfolk.

Finalists: Retreat East – Suffolk The Victoria – Norfolk

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year

Winner: hasty’s adventure farm – essex.

Finalists: The Bug Parc – Norfolk The Suffolk Punch Trust – Suffolk

Taste of East of England Award Sponsored by Adnams

Winner: namaste village norwich – norfolk.

Finalists: River Green Restaurant, Norwich – Norfolk Yalm Foodhall – Norfolk

• About us Find out more about Visit East of England What we do, who we are supported by and how to get involved More

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• City breaks

Best UK city for families revealed with Harry Potter-style street, award-winning attractions and very famous tea room

• Hope Brotherton , Travel Reporter
• Published : 16:22, 12 Sep 2024
• Updated : 16:22, 12 Sep 2024
• Published : Invalid Date,

FROM haunted hikes and a Harry Potter-style street to a chocolate attraction rivalling the likes of Cadbury World, York has been named the best UK city for families.

Travel guide creator Peter Naldrett, who has visited all 76 cities in the UK, raved about York , calling it the best for families.

Peter, who wrote the book Bright Lights, Big Cities , told Sun Online Travel: "York is the best UK city for families because it has so many captivating activities and attractions.

"There's enough in York to keep both junior and secondary school children entertained, from the Viking Museum to York Chocolate Story and Harry Potter-style streets and a cold war bunker.

"The Viking Museum has interactive activities for children, the Castle Museum has recreated Victorian Streets and there's also the Shambles, the inspiration behind JK Rowling 's Diagon Alley."

"There's so much to keep kids busy in York, families will be spoilt for choice."

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York Minster is one of the city's top attractions, but away from the famed cathedral there are plenty of attractions to keep families entertained, especially in the run-up to Halloween.

Halloween Haunts

With over 500 hauntings within the city walls, the International Ghost Research Foundation has previously named York as Europe's most haunted city.

York is home to the world's first official ghost walk , called the Original Ghost Walk of York.

Established in 1973, the haunted walks start at the King's Arms Pub and last around 90 minutes.

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Tours start at 8pm and cost £10 for a full-paying adult and £6 for children.

Families with younger children will want to stick to less haunting attractions like some of York's award-winning museums.

Award-winning museums

The National Railway Museum is the biggest museum of its kind in the world.

Housed in a series of old railway sheds, there are over 100 locomotives inside the free museum, including the world-famous Flying Scotsman.

Built around Viking settlements that were unearthed in the 1970s, the JORVIK Viking Centre is also an award winner.

It's home to a reconstructed village that visitors pass through on a monorail and an interactive experience where kids can hunt for buried treasure called Dig.

Entry tickets cost £16.50 for a full-paying adult and £11 for children.

York's Castle Museum is another TripAdvisor 's Travellers Choice Award Winner with a recreated Victorian Street, and an old prison bed where visitors can imagine what life was like for the notorious Highwayman, Dick Turpin.

Tickets for adults cost £17, with tickets for kids slightly cheaper costing £11 per person.

Chocolate attractions

York has its own chocolate attraction rivalling the likes of Birmingham's Cadbury World.

 If you ever wondered how Yorkie bars got their name, ponder no more — they were created in York.

York's Chocolate Story tells the story of the Rowntree’s factory that was founded in York in 1862.

The guided tour takes guests through the timeline of chocolate, from its start in Mexico up to the 21st century, while also letting you sample favourites like Aero and Kit Kat.

You also get to make your own chocolate creation at the end.

The museum runs seasonal activities throughout the year, including the  Trick or Treat Trek  that takes visitors on a chocolate tour through York.

Rumoured to be the inspiration behind JK Rowling's Diagon Alley, the Shambles are worth a visit in their own right, with sweet shops, boutiques and plenty of shops for budding young witches and wizards.

There's also the TikTok-famous York Ghost Merchants selling small ceramic ghost figures, with no online shop queues to enter, which can take up to 40 minutes.

For older children and teens, there's also the York Cold War Bunker, operated by English Heritage .

Described as the most spine-chilling of its properties, visitors will be able to enter the blast-proof bunker on a guided tour.

Constructed in the 1960s as part of Britain's defence against a nuclear strike, with visitors given an insight into the preparations that were made.

For a slightly different perspective, sightseeing cruises run along the River Ouse where visitors will learn more about York's history .

Food and drink

Even though York has been named as the best UK city for families to visit, there are still plenty of pubs where adults can sink a pint - and kids are welcome.

Y Old Starre Inne, built in 1644, is possibly the city's oldest public house, and it was used as a hospital during the Civil War, but these days you can head there for classics like steak and ale pie, chicken kiev and fish and chips.

Another boozer with a different kind of history is the Eagle And Child, a Grade II* listed timber framed pub, that was built in 1640, where the Rolling Stones hung out in the 1960s.

For a bite to eat there's the Shambles Food Court , serving everything from Chinese dumplings and falafel to Mexican tacos and pizzas.

There's also the famous Betty's Cafe Tea Rooms, serving sandwiches, cakes, patisseries, a range of scones and their famous Fat Rascal cookie-scone hybrid.

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Last week, Peter explained why  Brits should visit Salford  - tiny cultural powerhouse on the outskirts of Greater Manchester.

And we've recently revealed our  favourite spots for a September break .

What's it like to visit York?

SENIOR Feature Writer Alex Lloyd visited York back in 2023, here's what she thought.

"The Rowntree and Terry families started their empires here. While only the former remains – under the guise of Nestle – both have left their mark.

"A good starting point to find out more is  York Chocolate Story,  a small and interactive museum where our tour guide introduced us to the failed Chocolate Apple and the history of the  KitKat .

"We also made a stop at Goddards, the beautiful home of the Terry clan, now a regional HQ of the National Trust. It has pristine gardens and terrific views across the racecourse towards the red-brick art deco Terry’s factory, with its majestic clock tower.

"As keen foodies, we wanted to get a taste of York’s present as well as past.

"We really were spoilt for choice, from fine dining to delis with heaving cheese counters. There is even a food festival every September.

"The city has a Michelin-starred restaurant, Roots, although we opted for the more budget-friendly Partisan, which is spread over two floors and serves inventive brunch dishes.

Spark, a foodie hub made of shipping containers, is a mecca for affordable street grub, including the moreish Clucking Oinks fried chicken."

• Staycation tips and ideas

News | Politics

Everyone visiting UK will need permission and face charge from 2025 as travel visa scheme expands

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All visitors to the UK, apart from British and Irish citizens, will need permission to enter the country before coming here by next spring under an expanded travel visa scheme, the Home Secretary announced on Tuesday.

Rules requiring people visiting the UK without a visa to pay £10 will be expanded to include travellers from most countries from November 2024, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said.

The previous government introduced the electronic travel authorisation ( ETA ) system last year for people entering or transiting through the UK without legal residence rights or a visa.

ETAs, which cost £10, are currently required for nationals of Qatar , Bahrain , Kuwait , Oman , the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

From November it will apply to all other nationals, except Europeans, and be required for entry from January 8 2025.

The programme will by extended to European nationals in March 2025, and be a travel requirement for them from April 2 2025.

In a written statement laid before the House of Commons , Ms Cooper wrote: “Once fully rolled out, the ETA scheme will close the current gap in advance permissions and mean that for the first time, we will have a comprehensive understanding of those travelling to the UK.”

Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra, said: “Digitisation enables a smooth experience for the millions of people who pass through the border every year, including the visitors we warmly welcome to the UK who are predicted to contribute over £32billion to our tourism economy this year.

“The worldwide expansion of the ETA demonstrates our commitment to enhance security through new technology and embedding a modern immigration system.”

But Heathrow airport blamed the ETA scheme for a 90,000 drop in transfer passenger numbers on routes included in the system since it was launched.

It described the programme as “devastating for our hub competitiveness” and urged the Government to “review” the inclusion of airside transit passengers.

A Home Office spokesman said: “The UK Government continues to work closely with global airline, maritime and rail carriers, who are crucial to ensuring smooth implementation of our digitisation programme.”

Ms Cooper also announced the introduction of a visa requirement for all visitors from Jordan from 3pm on Tuesday due to breaches of visitor rules.

Jordanian nationals will no longer be able to travel to the UK with an ETA.

A four-week “transition period” will be in place for travellers who already hold an ETA and have confirmed travel bookings.

Ms Cooper wrote: “We are taking this action due to an increase in the number of Jordanian nationals travelling to the UK for purposes other than what is permitted under visitor rules since the visa requirement was lifted in February 2024.

“This has included a significant and sustained increase in asylum claims, and high rates of refusals at the border due to people travelling without the intention of visiting for a permitted purpose.”

This has “added significantly to operational pressures at the border”, Ms Cooper wrote.

She added that the decision to introduce a visa requirement was taken “solely for migration and border security reasons”, and the UK’s relationship with Jordan “remains a strong and friendly one”.

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Visitengland awards for excellence: award categories.

Introduction

The VisitEngland Awards for Excellence celebrate the nation’s leading tourism and visitor-focused businesses – from small bed and breakfasts to large attractions and business events venues.

The process begins when you apply to your local tourism awards . You can enter as many categories as you wish, as long as your business fits the entry criteria. The overall winners of core local categories are automatically submitted to the national judging , culminating in the prestigious VisitEngland Awards for Excellence event.

You must enter your local tourism awards competition for the opportunity to progress to national judging. Read the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence FAQs .

The local awards structure

Most regional awards contests offer both local and core awards. A local category is only offered by the regional competition, meaning that recognition is only available at a local level. Meanwhile, core category winners are put forward to national judging.

Within the core categories, there are two types of awards:

• Business-led : those that highlight the best businesses in a particular sector, for example the Small Hotel of the Year award.
• Market-led : those that highlight businesses who really understand their target audience, for example the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award.

The core categories are set by VisitEngland’s Tourism Awards Steering Group, and reviewed annually to reflect the latest industry structure and market trends.

Local and national awards core categories

All local competitions aligned with the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2024 must offer the following categories:

VEAE 2024/25 Application Form - B&B and Guest House of the Year

VEAE 2024/25 Application Form - Small Hotel of the Year

VEAE 2024/25 Application Form - Large Hotel of the Year

VEAE 2024/25 Application Form - Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year

VEAE 2024/25 Application Form - Self Catering Accommodation of the Year

VEAE 2024/25 Application Form - Small Visitor Attraction of the Year

VEAE 2024/25 Application Form - Large Visitor Attraction of the Year

VEAE 2024/25 Application Form - Pub of the Year

VEAE 2024/25 Application Form - Experience of the Year

VEAE 2024/25 Application Form - New Tourism Business of the Year

VEAE 2024/25 Application Form - Taste of England Award

Local competitions are required to offer at least two of these five categories:

VEAE 2024/25 Application Form - Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award

VEAE 2024/25 Application Form - Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award

VEAE 2024/25 Application Form - Unsung Hero Award

VEAE 2024/25 Application Form - Business Events Venue of the Year

VEAE 2024/25 Application Form - International Tourism Award

Special award categories

The national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence also include a selection of special prizes. The winners are determined by VisitEngland, with the exception of Tourism Superstar, which is decided by public vote in partnership with The Mirror.

Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award

This coveted award is given every year by the VisitEngland Advisory Board, to an individual or institution that has contributed something special and unique to tourism in England.

Through their work during the previous year, the recipients of this award have supported our mission and highlighted tourism’s contribution and value to our nation’s economy, employment, environment and quality of life.

Previous winners include Her Majesty The Queen, English pubs, BBC Countryfile, The Premier League and England’s National Parks.

In 2023, the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award was awarded to England’s Coast.

Tourism Superstar

The annual Tourism Superstar prize recognises the dedication and passion of those working in the tourism industry, and is awarded to an individual who goes above and beyond the call of duty.

Run in partnership with The Mirror , the campaign champions careers in tourism for people of all ages, and promotes quality, customer service and excellence within England’s tourism industry.

Now in its 11th year, Tourism Superstar celebrates individuals in the tourism industry who go the extra mile to ensure that visitors to England have an unforgettable experience. Nominees are passionate about where they work and the destination they live in, and consistently set the bar high for the standard of service in England’s tourism industry.

Travel Content Award

This award recognises the important contribution that media and influencers make in championing the array of great experiences on offer across England.

TXGB Trailblazer Award

This prize recognises businesses that work with TXGB and who have led the way in pioneering new initiatives, increasing economic impact and driving awareness to connect with the TXGB platform. It is shortlisted and awarded directly by TXGB.

Useful information

Local competitions are required to offer at least two of the following categories: Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award , ​​ Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award , Unsung Hero Award and Business Events Venue of the Year .

In addition, local awards competitions may choose to offer extra categories which do not feed up to the national awards, such as Event of the Year, which are specific to that destination.

Local competitions may choose to combine certain core categories. For example, instead of running both Small Visitor Attraction of the Year and Large Visitor Attraction of the Year awards, a single Visitor Attraction of the Year category may be offered. The winner would be put forward to the most relevant category at national level. The combined categories are: Hotel of the Year , Small Serviced Accommodation Provider of the Year , Visitor Attraction of the Year , Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year and Self Catering Accommodation of the Year .

Local competitions may choose to split certain categories. For example, the Taste of England Award category could be split into Restaurant of the Year and Tearoom of the Year at local level, with an overall winner selected and put forward for the national Taste of England Award. Also, the Taste of England Award name may be changed to reflect the local destination, for example Taste of Cumbria Award.

Local competition organisers and VisitEngland reserve the right to refuse an application if the business does not meet the eligibility criteria, or to move an application to another category if deemed more appropriate.

In certain circumstances, a local competition may not carry a mandatory core category if there is deemed to be insufficient stock in the area. For example, an urban awards competition may not carry the Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year category.

Terms and conditions vary by local competition.

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Travel grant for attending the GEDI workshop in Thailand

You are here.

SEAMEO RIHED is pleased to announce an open call for applications for the travel grant as part of the "Strengthening Leadership with Gender Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity in Higher Education Institutions in Southeast Asia." This project, supported by the British Council, focuses on fostering equitable access and inclusion within faculty and leadership roles across higher education institutions in Southeast Asia.

The travel grant facilitates collaboration between UK and Southeast Asian institutions by enabling UK academics to participate in Phase II of the GEDI project. Up to six UK academics will be selected to receive the grant, which will cover travel expenses to attend the Transformative Leadership Workshop in Bangkok, Thailand, scheduled for 24-25 October 2024.

This workshop presents a unique opportunity for participants to engage directly with senior policymakers and university leaders from Southeast Asia. Participants will explore critical issues related to Gender Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity and contribute to ongoing efforts to embed gender-sensitive leadership and practices in higher education. The workshop will also foster deeper collaborations and partnerships, reinforcing the spirit of collective learning between the UK and Southeast Asia.

Key Dates: • Open for applications: 11 September 2024 • Deadline for applications: 25 September 2024 • Selection announcement: 2 October 2024 • Briefing session: 7 October 2024 • Workshop in Bangkok: 24-25 October 2024

We look forward to your participation in this significant initiative that aims to shape the future of higher education leadership in Southeast Asia.

Action Required

Application deadline: 25 September 2024

Interested applicants are encouraged to carefully review the Open Call Guidelines and submit their applications by 25 September 2024. Essential documents, including the applicant’s CV and a letter of support from their home institution, must accompany the application form.

Apply here:  https://rihed.seameo.org/2024/09/10/gedi-open-call-for-travel-grant-appl...

For more information, please contact Ms Su Myat Noe at SEAMEO RIHED at [email protected] .

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VisitEngland Quality Schemes

In this section

VisitEngland offers a range of quality schemes for tourism businesses in England, all of which are managed by VisitEngland Assessment Services. We have a team of over 50 trained quality assessors who visit our quality scheme participants, assess the quality of their business and award star ratings and accreditation.

With strict criteria for each of our quality schemes, the VisitEngland assessors check the services and facilities offered to determine the most appropriate level of accreditation.  Each year, every aspect of the business is thoroughly inspected from the efficiency of the booking process to the level of service provided.

Accommodation quality schemes

Quality schemes are available for a range of accommodation types, including hotels, B&Bs, self-catering properties, hostels, holiday parks, campsites and glamping sites, serviced apartments and caravans.  Businesses receive either a ‘mystery’ overnight visit or an announced daytime visit, after which the assessor will discuss their findings with the business owner or manager and agree an appropriate star rating or level of accreditation.

Accommodation businesses can also gain a Gold, Silver or Breakfast Award as part of their annual assessment, or a ROSE Award for their customer service.

Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme

VisitEngland offers quality accreditation to visitor attractions participating in the Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme, including museums, art galleries, safari parks, gardens, historic houses, theme parks and more.  Attractions are independently visited by our team of experienced quality assessors and offered support and guidance to improve the quality of their visitor experience.

Visitor attractions can gain a VisitEngland Accolade for exceptional facilities.  Accolades include Quality Food & Drink, Hidden Gem, Best Told Story, Welcome and Gold.

Other quality schemes

VisitEngland works with individual sectors of the tourism industry to provide independent quality assessment where required, including the Pub Quality Scheme, developed in collaboration with the British Beer & Pub Association, the Racecourse Quality Scheme, working alongside the Racecourse Association, and the Motorway Service Area Quality Scheme, created in partnership with Highways England.

Find out more

For more information on individual quality schemes, including the criteria used to assess and award star ratings and accreditation, please visit  www.visitenglandassessmentservices.com . 

If you want to check a VisitEngland rating or accreditation for a particular property, or find out more about one of our quality schemes, contact the VisitEngland Assessment Services team by emailing  [email protected] .

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