Entries open for Lancashire tourism awards

The winners of this year’s awards will be announced at a spectacular event to be held in Blackburn Cathedral, on Thursday November 10.

The event is organised by Marketing Lancashire and supported by Blackburn with Darwen Council, with the University of Central Lancashire as Headline Sponsor.

Nineteen award categories, from Best Hotel to Small Visitor Attraction, offer a wide range of tourism businesses the opportunity to highlight their success and valuable contribution to Lancashire’s growing visitor economy sector. The visitor economy contributes £3.7 billion to Lancashire’s economy and provides employment for over 56, 000 people.

Two new categories make an appearance for 2016: Boutique Accommodation Award, which is aimed at more individually styled accommodation, offering a unique experience that sets it apart from its competitors.

Tyhere is also the Lancashire Producers & Makers Award celebrating producers or makers of authentic food & drink, artisan crafts or local products, that contribute to the visitor experience and champion Lancashire distinctiveness.

Ruth Connor, Chief Executive of Marketing Lancashire , said: “Lancashire’s tourism industry continues to grow and raise standards of excellence, meeting the demands and often exceeding the expectations of increasingly discerning and adventurous visitors. Over 63 million visitors already choose Lancashire for their shorts breaks and days out and as a sector, we aim to raise that to 70 million by 2020.”

“Lancashire’s particular strengths lie in the appeal of our great outdoors and coastline, our authentic food and drink, our diverse heritage and vibrant culture, and in our reputation for genuine, warm hospitality.

“Each year the Lancashire Tourism Awards helps tease out some of the county’s real gems, reveals our best in class and celebrates our most successful tourism businesses in all these areas, providing a platform on which they can stand proud as the whole county acknowledges their huge achievement.”