10th anniversary tourism awards launched

Marketing Lancashire has launched the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2013 which, in its 10th anniversary year, is set to be the biggest tourism industry awards ever seen in the county.

The Lancashire Tourism Awards 2013 will take place on Thursday, November 7 at Blackburn Cathedral and will be one of the cathedral’s first major corporate events. The awards will be hosted by tourism expert, broadcaster and travel editor of The Independent, Simon Calder.

New categories introduced this year include awards for: Wedding Venue; Retail Experience; Luxury Experience; Cultural Venue/Organisation, as well as an award for those offering the best experience for group travellers.

Winners in certain categories will go forward to represent Lancashire at the VisitEngland Excellence Awards 2014.

Ruth Connor, chief executive of Marketing Lancashire, said: “The tourism sector is crucial to the economic success of Lancashire, contributing £3.4bn to the local economy, and is deserving of an awards event that recognises and rewards those who are at the forefront of their industry." Accommodation:

• B&B/Guest Accommodation Award
• Holiday Park Award
• Small Hotel Award
• Large Hotel Award
• Self-Catering Award

Venues:

• Conference/Meeting Venue Award
• Wedding Venue Award
• Taste Lancashire Award
• Tourism Pub Award
• Retail Experience Award
• Cultural Venue/Organisation Award

Attractions/Events:

• Visitor Event Award
• Small Visitor Attraction Award
• Large Visitor Attraction Award

Contribution to Tourism:

• Green Tourism Award
• Best for Groups Award
• Luxury Experience Award
• Customer Service Award
• Marketing Initiative Award
• Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award

Applications must be submitted by Monday, September 16 with the shortlist announced on Thursday, October 3. Those shortlisted will then be invited to interview by the judging panel during the week of October, 14 when each business will have the opportunity to discuss their application in more detail.