Midlands attractions urged to enter tourism ‘Oscars’

BIRMINGHAM’S tourist attractions have been invited to demonstrate their contribution of the region’s visitor economy by gaining recognition in this year’s Heart of England Excellence in Tourism Awards.

The awards, some of the most sought after in the tourism industry, recognise the work carried out by the various different strands of the tourism sector.

They were launched by Tourism West Midlands chairman Brian Summers at a ceremony held at Drayton Manor Park, near Tamworth. The park was the recipient of last year’s Outstanding Contribution to Tourism award.

This year there are 18 free-to-enter categories ranging from Large Visitor Attraction to Taste of the Heart Award.  

The full award categories are: Outstanding Customer Service; Access for All Award; Best One Off or Annual Event; Sustainable Tourism; Taste of the Heart; Best Tourism Experience; Tourism Information Service; Self Catering; Caravan Holiday Park; Bed and Breakfast; Small Hotel; Large Hotel; Small Visitor Attraction; Large Visitor Attraction Regional Culture Award and Business Tourism Award.

There are also two special awards: Outstanding Contribution to Tourism – Individual and Outstanding Contribution to Tourism – Organisation, which are selected by the judging panel.

At the ceremony to mark the launch of this year’s awards, Debbie Bisseker, head of visitor services at Cadbury World,  picked up the Outstanding Customer Care Award.

Ms Bisseker was also recognised in the Outstanding Customer Service category.

Mr Summers said: “Last year’s awards attracted a record number of entries and from personally speaking to many of the winners over the past twelve months I am delighted that the awards have resulted in increased visitor attendance and positive exposure for these businesses.

“Tourism and these awards take on an increased importance in today’s economic climate and I hope that by promoting the quality of all of our tourism operators we will see visitor numbers and spend in the region rise further throughout the season.”

This year sees the launch of the first ever tourism workshops, hosted by experienced tourism judges to help businesses find out the best way to enter the awards.  

Winners of the Heart of England Excellence in Tourism Awards are put forward for the national Enjoy England Awards for Excellence 2011.

The Enjoy England 2010 awards saw five tourist attractions and destinations in the West Midlands win.

The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, in Birmingham, scooped the gold award for best small visitor attraction. Silver winners included Hidelow House Cottages in Worcestershire, Poston Mill Park in Herefordshire and Shropshire’s Blists Hill Victorian Town.

Lucy Giaquinto, marketing manager for Cadbury World, said: “We would recommend entering the Excellence in Tourism Awards as they are seen as the industry standard so to be recognised by this organisation carries prestige.  It also allows you to benchmark your attraction against others within the region.”

In fact, Ms Bisseker went on to be runner-up in the Outstanding Customer Service category of the full Enjoy England Awards for Excellence, beating off competition from Wakefield Tourist centre and Jury’s Inn, Liverpool.

She said: “I am honoured to receive such a high accolade. I work very hard to ensure that everyone who visits Cadbury World has a magical experience and am really pleased that the work my team continually puts into customer service has been recognised.”

Further details on the Heart of England Excellence in Tourism Awards together with application forms and more information on the workshops are available to download on www.visittheheart.co.uk/excellence .