VisitEngland has announced the finalists going forward to compete for the tourism industry’s annual national Awards for Excellence.

Among the finalists are three Lancashire businesses who won at the regional Lancashire Tourism Awards and qualified for the national industry awards.

Lancashire’s finalists are: La Locanda, Gisburn, Taste Of England Award finalist; Secret Garden Glamping, Skelmersdale, Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year; and Winter Gardens, Blackpool, Business Events Venue of the Year.

The VisitEngland Awards for Excellence champion the very best of England’s tourism industry celebrating quality, innovation, best practice and exceptional customer service.

The 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.

VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said: “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.”

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’.

All finalists are invited to attend the national awards ceremony, this year being held at Rum Warehouse at The Titanic Hotel Liverpool on 5 June, 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.

This year’s Awards aligned with 16 local competitions from across England with winners automatically put forward for the national awards.

Vikki Harris, Marketing and Partnerships Director of Marketing Lancashire who organise the annual Lancashire Tourism Awards said “What a wonderful affirmation of the world class tourism offer in Lancashire. La Locanda, Secret Garden Glamping and Blackpool Winter Gardens, now go on to represent the county in the most prestigious awards for the tourism industry in England. These hard working, brilliant businesses are at the top of their game and demonstrate the quality, invention and warm welcome that we’re renowned for in Lancashire.

“Each of the finalists will take home either Gold, Silver or Bronze at this year’s VisitEngland Awards for Excellence and we couldn’t be prouder or happier for them.”

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 £66 billion for the economy in domestic visitor spending.