Meet Birmingham takes gold at Heart of England Excellence Awards
25th Oct 2010
Meet Birmingham, Marketing Birmingham’s business tourism campaign, took the gold award for Business Tourism at the Heart of England Excellence in Tourism Awards.
The cream of the Heart of England’s tourism industry was celebrated at the ceremony, held at the Univeristy of Birmingham’s Great Hall, on 21st October 2010. The premier tourism providers from across the West Midlands were joined by industry stakeholders at the annual event.
Hosted by Central TV presenter Bob Warman, the awards celebrated the very best in tourism from Birmingham, The Black Country, Staffordshire, Coventry and Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire and Herefordshire.
Brian Summers, chairman of Tourism West Midlands said, “Last night’s awards showcased the very best in the Heart of England’s tourism industry, proving yet again how important tourism is to our regional economy and offering.”
“We are lucky in the Heart of England to be home to such a diverse range of tourism businesses from small privately owned B&B’s to internationally recognised brands and I was delighted to see a range of new and more established attractions attending, clearly demonstrating that our tourism sector isn’t standing still, but is constantly looking forward and growing.”
“I am proud to also announce that the Enjoy England Awards, where we see the winners from each region compete on a national scale, will be held, for the first time ever, in Birmingham next year at Birmingham University’s Great Hall.”“The Outstanding Contribution to Tourism for an individual went to Blue Badge Guide and Coventry city councillor Roger Bailey, while the Outstanding Contribution organisation award went to Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust”.
Roger Bailey, winner of the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award claimed “I am really excited to gain this award, in recognition for what i have done in promoting tourism in the region. I think such awards are important, recognising what organisations and people have achieved and the part they play in creating jobs on a regionally basis and the boost they give to the local economy.”
All gold winners will be entered into the national Enjoy England Awards to represent the West Midlands in early 2011.
Heart of England Excellence in Tourism Awards 2010 Winners and Finalists
Access for All Award
Cadbury World, Birmingham – Joint Gold Winner Award
Hidelow House Cottages, Worcestershire – Joint Gold Winner Award
Drayton Manor Theme Park, Staffordshire – Highly Commended Award
Business Tourism Award
Meet Birmingham – Marketing Birmingham – Gold Award
Cotswold Conference Centre – Joint Silver Award
Woodside – Sundial Venue – Joint Silver Award
Caravan Holiday Park of the Year
Poston Mill Park, Herefordshire – Gold Award
Townsend Touring Park,Herefordshire – Silver Award
Regional Culture Award
Heritage Motor Centre – Gaydon – Joint Gold Award
Ironbridge Gorge Museums – Joint Gold Award
Black Country Living Museum – Joint Silver Award
Birmingham Hippodrome – Joint Silver Award
Outstanding Customer Service Award
Anita Tarry – Ramada Solihull – Gold Award
Elaine Lewis – Hidelow House Cottages – Silver Award
Deborah Gregory – Goldstone Hall Hotel – Highly Commended Award
Best One-off/Annual Event of the Year
International Dance Festival, Birmingham – Gold Award
Malvern Spring Gardening Show – Joint Silver Award
Christmas at Black Country Museum – Joint Silver Award
B&B/Guest Accommodation of the Year
Kateshill House – Worcestershire – Gold Award
Wilton Court Restaurant with Rooms, Herefordshire – Joint Silver Award
Colton House, Staffordshire – Joint Silver Award
Windrush Guesthouse, Worcestershire – Highly Commended Award
Tourist Information Service of the Year
Tamworth Tourist Information Centre – Gold Award
Lichfield Information Centre – Silver Award
Coventry Visitor Information Centre – Highly Commended Award
Sustainable Tourism Award
Hidelow House Cottages, Worcestershire – Gold Award
Poston Mill Park, Herefordshire – Joint Silver Award
Broadway Manor Cottages, Worcestershire – Joint Silver Award
Drayton Manor Theme Park, Staffordshire – Joint Silver Award
Best Tourism Experience
BBC Tours – Birmingham – Gold Award
Drayton’s Magical Christmas, Staffordshire – Silver Award
Great Classic Car Hire, Worcestershire – Highly Commended Award
Go Ape, Staffordshire – Highly Commended Award
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
Compton Verney, Warwickshire – Gold Award
BBC Tours – Birmingham – Silver Award
Boscobel House & The Royal Oak – Highly Commended Award
Self Catering Holiday of the Year
Broadway Manor Cottages, Worcestershire – Gold Award
Apley Holiday Cottages – Joint Silver Award
The Cornmill, Townsend Farm, Herefordshire – Joint Silver Award
The Walkmill Holiday Cottages – Highly Commended Award
Taste of the Heart Award
Ludlow Food Centre, Shropshire – Gold Award
Wilton Court Restaurant with Rooms, Herefordshire – Silver Award
Goldstone Hall Hotel & Restaurant – Highly Commended
Small Hotel of the Year
Broadway Hotel, Worcestershire – Gold Award
Goldstone Hall Hotel, Shropshire – Silver Award
Brockencote Hall , Worcestershire – Highly Commended
Large Hotel of the Year
The Stratford, Stratford-upon-Avon – Gold Award
New Hall Hotel, Birmingham – Silver Award
Chesford Grange, Warwickshire – Highly Commended
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
Alton Towers Resort, Staffordshire – Gold Award
Drayton Manor Theme Park, Staffordshire – Silver Award
West Midland Safari Park, Worcestershire – Highly Commended
