Tourism promotion organisation VisitEngland has released list of 48 finalists for the Awards of Excellence 2024, its annual award recognising the best of tourism industry in England.

VisitEngland has announced the finalists who will go forward to compete for the tourism industry’s annual national Awards for Excellence 2024.

According to a press statement released by the tourism promotion organisation of England, the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence champion the very best of England’s tourism industry celebrating quality, innovation, best practice and exceptional customer service.

The statement adds that 48 finalists, announced following a rigorous judging process by handpicked tourism industry experts, now go on to compete in 16 core categories at the national awards, with the Caravan and Motorhome Club announced as headline sponsor.

“I am always impressed by the tourism businesses who make it onto our list of finalists with their innovative approaches to ensuring people have the most amazing experiences whilst delivering outstanding customer service across England.  I congratulate all the finalists and wish them the very best of luck,” says VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes.

The statement adds that the awards’ categories range from ‘Large Visitor Attraction of the Year’ and ‘Small Hotel of the Year’ to ‘New Tourism Business of the Year’ and ‘Pub of the Year’.

Applications to the awards were put forward for judging from businesses including hotels, self-catering accommodation providers, B&Bs, glamping operators, visitor attractions, restaurants, pubs and museums.

In addition to the 16 core categories, four special awards are also being presented including an ‘Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award’, a ‘Travel Content Award’, the ‘Tourism Superstar Award’ and a ‘TXGB Trailblazer Award’.

VisitEngland says that all finalists are invited to attend the national awards ceremony, this year being held at Rum Warehouse at The Titanic Hotel Liverpool on June 5, where Gold, Silver and Bronze winners will be announced at the black tie event. The Family Holiday Charity is the chosen charity for this year’s event.

The statement adds that this year’s awards aligned with 16 local competitions from across England with winners automatically put forward for the national awards. Tourism is one of England’s largest and most valuable industries, supporting hundreds of thousands of small-to-medium sized businesses, employing 2.6 million people and, in 2022, generating GBP 66 billion for the economy in domestic visitor spending.