Author: gemma.hirst@ngi.org.uk

As the nation mourns the sad passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II organisers of the regional tourism awards have extended the deadline for entries.

As many tourism businesses prepare to close for the state funeral on Mon, the decision was made to give businesses an extra week to enter the North East England Tourism Awards 2023.

The new deadline for applications is 5pm on Thurs, Sept 29^th allowing businesses extra time to enter the 20^th anniversary of the awards, being held in March next year.

There are 16 categories from B&B of the Year to Business Events Venue of the Year and Unsung Hero. Businesses can apply for multiple categories, even if they have won in previous years.

The awards are free to enter and eligible winners at the regional awards will automatically feed into the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, ensuring the best of the region is shown on a national stage.

The awards are judged by a panel of industry experts, with a focus on experiencing the North East tourism industry first-hand. Winners will be announced at a ceremony in March 2023.

Sarah Green, chief executive of NGI said: “With the sad news of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II we wanted to allow our businesses time to reflect and mark her life, therefore we felt extending the deadline was the appropriate step to take. 

“We believe our businesses deserve recognition for the fantastic service they provide our visitors, who as a result keep coming back to the North East for trips and holidays.

“Residents can also get involved by encouraging their favourite tourism business to enter the awards and together we can showcase the best the region has to offer.”

To enter go to https://tickets.northeasttourismawards.co.uk/apply-now/

North East England Tourism Awards 2022 – Categories 

• Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award
• Bed & Breakfast and Guest House of the Year
• Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park of the Year
• Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award
• Experience of the Year
• Large Hotel of the Year
• New Tourism Business of the Year
• Pub of the Year
• Resilience and Innovation Award                                           
• Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year
• Small Hotel of the Year
• Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
• Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
• Taste of North East England Award
• Unsung Hero Award
• Business Events Venue of the Year       

With only three weeks to go until the deadline for the 2023 North East England Tourism Awards business across the region are being encouraged to get their entries in.

It is the 20^th anniversary of the awards next year and organisers NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI) are keen to make it the best one yet.

The deadline for entries is 5pm on Thursday 22^nd September and businesses can enter any of the 16 categories ranging from B&B of the Year to Business Events Venue of the Year, which makes a return to the ceremony in 2023.

The awards are then judged by a panel of industry experts, with a focus on experiencing the North East tourism industry first-hand. Winners will be announced at a ceremony in March 2023.

The North East England Tourism Awards 2023 are run in partnership with the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence. Eligible winners of the awards will automatically feed into the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, ensuring the best of the region is shown on a national stage.

This year the region picked up four awards at the nationals including, Seaham Hall Hotel, who won Gold in the Small Hotel of the Year, Hotel Indigo, who won Silver in the Large Hotel of the Year, Triple A Food Tours, who won Silver in the New Tourism Business category and Clive Goodwin, of The Ouseburn Trust, who won Bronze in the Unsung Hero award.

Sarah Green, chief executive of NGI said: “We’re so excited about next year’s awards and being able to celebrate 20 years of this important industry event.

“We want to see businesses from all corners of the region enter. If you have never entered before, considered it but not done it, or want to defend your title, this is the year to get your application in.

“It is a busy time of year for tourism businesses, and we understand that, but we also know from past winners the difference it can make to take a bit of time to apply. Not only does it raise the profile of your business, but it also helps you to connect with other tourism businesses and spread the word about this amazing destination.”

Steve and Amanda White, of the Market Cross Guesthouse, Belford, know first-hand the positive impact winning can have, after picking up Gold in the B&B of the Year category at this year’s awards.

Steve said: “We have been running Market Cross Guesthouse for 10 years and we felt it was time we were judged against our peers by the industry. Believing we had an excellent business is one thing but to be judged the best from what is such a competitive category with such a high standard of competition is an achievement we are proud of.

“Winning brings it home to us that the hard work and constantly striving to be better has worked. It shows us that our business is where we want to be, but we are always looking for improvement.

“The exposure following the awards can be considerable. Just having the award logo on our website and promoting our achievement on social media has no doubt contributed to our almost 100% occupancy this year.”

To enter the awards go to https://tickets.northeasttourismawards.co.uk/apply-now/ Businesses can enter multi categories and all entries are FREE.

An online workshop to help businesses with their application is being held on Monday September 12^th from 10am to 11am. Sign up here

Image: Managing Director of Seaham Hall, Ross Grieve with their Gold award for Small Hotel of the Year

The region’s top tourism businesses were celebrating last night after picking up Bronze, Silver and Gold awards at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence. 

Seaham Hall Hotel, County Durham, were named England’s Small Hotel of the Year when they won Gold at the awards. 

This success was followed with two Silver awards for Hotel Indigo Durham in the Large Hotel of the Year category and Triple A Food Tours, Newcastle, for the New Tourism Business Award. 

Clive Goodwin, of The Ouseburn Trust, finished off an amazing night for the North East with a Bronze in the Unsung Hero category for his work with the Victoria Tunnel tours.   

Seaham Hall Hotel beat off stiff competition from No.15 by GuestHouse in Bath and The Idle Rocks, Cornwall, who both received silver.  

The accolade follows a number the hotel has received in recent years including North East Chef of the Year for Jr Sous chef Kyle Greenwood at this year’s competition in May. 

The annual VisitEngland awards were held at Birmingham Library last night (8 June) and were presented by TV Presenter Claire Balding CBE. They celebrate and champion innovation, quality and best practice across the industry recognising businesses and individuals who raise the bar of England’s tourism offer. 

The region’s four finalists qualified for the national awards after picking up Gold at the North East England Tourism Awards (NEETA) held in March. 

Sarah Green, Chief Executive of NewcastleGateshead Initiative, who deliver the NEETA awards, said: “What an awesome night for the region! A massive congratulations to all our finalists. It’s an incredible accolade to have England’s top Small Hotel here in the North East and demonstrates the commitment, passion and quality of our tourism businesses. 

“It was fantastic to see our businesses supporting each other on the night. I’m delighted that all our finalists have been recognised in their own right for the wonderful experiences they offer visitors to the North East.” 

Ross Grieve, Managing Director of Seaham Hall, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been recognised for this prestigious accolade in the VisitEngland Awards. It is truly an honour and one very much shared with the entire team at Seaham Hall. We are very grateful for the team’s passion and ongoing commitment; our fantastic, very loyal guests, are also a huge driver in terms of our success. 

“Seaham Hall is very much a destination it its own right, and we proudly champion the region, promoting the beautiful heritage coastline, the city of Durham and the many reasons to visit and spend time in the North East of England to our guests which travel to us from all over the country.”  

VisitEngland Advisory Board Chair Nick de Bois said: “It is wonderful to see the Awards event back in-person, giving us the opportunity to come together, celebrate and congratulate the best-of-the-best across England’s world-class tourism industry. 

“From an accessible and inclusive sailing school to a family run rural glamping site and an immersive living museum, these awards highlight the outstanding quality, the innovation and the customer service excellence across our industry. All these businesses are winners in every sense. 

“Millions of jobs and local economies depend on tourism and this year’s awards also highlight the dedication of tourism businesses as they rebuild, championing best practice and providing visitors with first-class experiences.” 

For a full list of the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence go to https://www.visitengland.com/visit-england-awards-2022-winners  

Four of the region’s best tourism businesses and individuals have been announced as finalists for the national tourism awards.

Hotel Indigo Durham, Seaham Hall, Triple A Food Tours and Clive Goodwin of The Ouseburn Trust will be competing for the top spot at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.

The prestigious awards, being held in Birmingham on June 8, will see them go up against finalists from around the country in 15 categories.

The four nominees were selected after picking up Gold at the North East England Tourism Awards in March.

NewcastleGateshead is delighted to have finalists in two new award categories.

New Tourism Business of the Year winner Triple A Food Tours, based in Newcastle will be taking on Rowley Farm Holidays in Worcestershire and Three Mile Beach in Cornwall to pick up the national title.

In the Unsung Hero category, which celebrates individuals who go the extra mile to ensure visitors have a truly memorable experience, Clive Goodwin, of The Ouseburn Trust will be flying the flag for the North East.

Two of the region’s top hotels will also be fighting out for the national title. Hotel Indigo, Durham has been nominated in the Large Hotel of the Year category competing against The Langham, in London and The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa in Somerset.

In the Small Hotel of the Year Seaham Hall will be hoping to strike gold against The Idle Rocks in Cornwall and No 15 by Guesthouse in Somerset.

Sarah Green, chief executive of NewcastleGateshead Initiative, who deliver the regional tourism awards, said: “This is incredible news for the region and for the tourism industry. Congratulations to all of the nominees, in particular those NewcastleGateshead businesses Triple A Tours and Clive Goodwin at The Ouseburn Trust, who are fantastic examples of businesses and individuals going the extra mile to offer visitors an unforgettable experience.

“Here in the North East we already know the quality, passion and innovation that our tourism businesses and individuals bring to the sector, but for that to be recognised on a national scale is credit to everyone involved.

“Tourism remains the fourth largest sector in the region’s economy, and we would like to wish all the regional nominees good luck. A win at the finals both drives bookings for the business but also shouts about the quality of the regional offer.”

Amy Whitfield, owner of Triple A Food Tours, which runs tours around Newcastle, Ouseburn, Northumberland and Durham, said: “I actually can’t put into words how over the moon I am! I will definitely be attending the evening to fly the flag for the North East! I really am blown away to be shortlisted for Visit England Award! It’s an honour to be able to represent the North Easts incredible independent food scene.”

Clive Goodwin, who co-ordinates the programme of tours at The Victoria Tunnel, said: “I am privileged to be doing the job I love. The Victoria Tunnel was a largely unknown part of Newcastle’s rich mining and WW2 heritage and from getting the job in 2010, I have put everything into sharing its fantastic story into the public domain. I am so proud to have achieved this and helped make the Victoria Tunnel Newcastle’s most popular tourist attraction.”

Applications for the North East England Tourism Awards, which will celebrate it’s 20^th anniversary next year, will open following the national awards in June.

For a full list of finalists go to https://www.visitbritain.org/visitengland-announces-awards-excellence-2022-finalists

The region’s top tourism businesses will be celebrated at the North East England Tourism Awards on Thursday, March 24.

The annual event, hosted by NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI) will be held at Newcastle Civic Centre.

Attractions, hotels and individuals from across the North East will compete in 15 categories including two new categories, Unsung Hero and Resilience and Innovation and more than 100 applications were received for this year’s awards.

Ian McAllister, Head of Marketing and Communications at The Alnwick Garden, who have been nominated in three categories this year, said:

“We were absolutely delighted to be nominated in this year’s Tourism Awards.  After a couple of years of the entire industry re-finding its feet, it is incredible to acknowledge the amount of work that our entire team have put in to make The Alnwick Garden one of the most recognisable tourist destinations in the North East.

“We of course couldn’t have had such a successful year without the support of our visitors, staff and volunteers and it has finally been so nice to see so many happy and smiling faces throughout the site.

“As previous winners of the North East and national tourism awards we know first-hand how important they are in highlighting how unique our venue is and as such has driven new visitors through our gates.  We are incredibly excited to join all of the other nominees on the night to showcase quite how much the North East has to offer.”

Carl Howe, of Valhalla North Axe Throwing, in Newton Aycliffe has been shortlisted in one of this year’s new categories Unsung Hero.

Carl and his wife Kat set up Newton Aycliffe-based Valhalla in 2019 and it is now the UK’s leading independent axe throwing venue. Kat decided to nominate her husband as recognition for the hard work in getting the business recognised particularly during the Covid pandemic.

Speaking about his nomination Carl said: “I was shocked to hear Kat had put me forward and truly humbled to hear I had been shortlisted. I don’t do what I do to be noticed, but to ensure the business is succeeding and that visitors are having the best experience possible and enjoying a sport I am so passionate about.

“It would be an honour to win this award and I would be extremely thankful to Kat for nominating me and to the judges for awarding it to me.

Sarah Green, chief executive of NGI said: “The last few years have been incredibly challenging for the region’s tourism industry, however the resilience shown by our businesses, attractions and individuals to adapt and establish new ways of working has been phenomenal.

“These awards are an important step in demonstrating that the region is a world-class visitor destination with an exciting and quality offer. Congratulations again to all those businesses shortlisted and we’re looking forward to celebrating with you all.”

Businesses are now being invited to buy their tickets for the awards ceremony with BBC Radio Newcastle presenter Alfie Joey as compere for the night.

The awards are once again sponsored by Newcastle College and Bidfood. The North East England Tourism Awards are organised and delivered by NewcastleGateshead Initiative in partnership with the North East Tourism Alliance.

The Alliance is a collaboration of the region’s tourism bodies who work together on projects that benefit the industry. Members of the North East Tourism Alliance include, NewcastleGateshead Initiative, North East Hotels Association, North Tyneside Council, Visit Northumberland, South Tyneside Council, Sunderland City Council, Tees Valley Combined Authority and Visit County Durham.

Tickets are £40+VAT each and can be purchased here https://buytickets.at/newcastlegatesheadinitaitive/639859

The awards ceremony will start at 6.30pm.

Eligible winners from the North East England Tourism Awards will automatically feed into the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2022 for the chance to be recognised as a national winner.

For a full list of shortlisted businesses go to www.northeasttourismawards.co.uk