- 43 finalists from across the region shortlisted for tourism gongs in 15 categories
- West Midlands’ tourism successes to be celebrated on 26 February 2020 at University of Birmingham’s Great Hall
The shortlist for 2020’s inaugural West Midlands Tourism Awards has been announced, with 43 finalists vying for prizes in 15 categories. One of these finalists is Bobby Britnell from Bettws-y-Crwyn, Newcastle on Clun for her enterprising business running creative courses for all, from her purpose built studio. Her small business benefits the local community in many ways: it provides business for many local B and B’s, students use pubs and restaurants for evening meals, local services provide lunches and the local taxi service picks up students from airports and stations. The business also needs to employ a gardener and a cleaner.
The 15 successful attractions and hospitality businesses will be revealed at a special ceremony on 26 February 2020 at the University of Birmingham’s Great Hall. Regional winners will automatically feed up to the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, which takes place in June.
Supported by the West Midlands Growth Company, which aims to attract visitors and events to the region, the awards will celebrate the venues that have helped to bring a record 131 million visitors to the area in 2018 – a 2.6% increase on the previous year. The West Midlands’ tourism industry is now worth £12.6 billion, a rise of 6.7%. The sector supports more than 135,000 jobs.
Roger Mendonca, Chief Operating Officer of the West Midlands Growth Company, said:
“The West Midlands Tourism Awards will shine a spotlight on the venues that have helped make this unique region a destination of choice for national and international visitors, with tourist numbers, spend and hotel occupancy at an all-time high.
“We received a high standard of entry for our awards from more than 75 tourism businesses, and congratulate those venues who have got the nod from industry experts following a very competitive shortlisting process.
“We look forward to recognising the stars of our tourism scene in February and encourage companies to get in touch with us to find out how they can raise their profile by supporting the event.”
The West Midlands is gearing up to welcome more visitors in 2020, with the International Dance Festival Birmingham; Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell gig in Solihull; and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Europa League campaign among the events set to attract domestic and overseas guests to the region.
West Midlands Tourism Awards 2020 – Finalists
Category | Finalists |
1. Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award | Birmingham Hippodrome Royal Shakespeare Company |
2. B&B / Guesthouse of the Year | Avonlea Broome Park Farm Victoria Spa Lodge |
3. Business Events Venue of the Year | Coombe Abbey ICC Birmingham Warwick Conferences |
4. Camping, Glamping, Holiday Park of the Year | Etties Field Hencote Hill Farm Glamping Hopley’s Family Camping |
5. Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award | The Hive |
6. Experience of the Year | Bobby Britnell Jaguar Land Rover Experience Solihull Positively Birmingham Walking Tours Royal Shakespeare Company |
7. Large Hotel of the Year | Coombe Abbey Mallory Court Country House Hotel & Spa Malmaison Birmingham |
8. Small Hotel of the Year | Baraset Barn, Lovely Pubs Brockencote Hall |
9. International Tourism | Go Cotswolds Shakespeare’s Birthplace |
10. New Tourism Business Award | Hotel Indigo, Stratford-upon-Avon Positively Birmingham Walking Tours Shakespeare Distillery |
11. Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year | Burlton Cottages Ironbridge View Townhouse Penny Black Cottage |
12. Large Visitor Attraction of the Year | Black Country Living Museum National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham Royal Shakespeare Company |
13. Small Visitor Attraction of the Year | Aston Hal FarGo Village Jaguar Land Rover Experience Solihull Shakespeare Schoolroom & Guildhall |
14. Pub of the Year | The Coracle Micro pub The Howard Arms The Millstone Hare |
15. Taste of England Award | Esquires Coffee The Butchers Social Tumeric Gold |