Fylde coast firms on notice of tourism awards launch

Each year Marketing Lancashire, the county’s destination management organisation, delivers the only county-wide celebration of Lancashire tourism and presents awards in a wide range of categories to the year’s outstanding tourism businesses and individuals.

Tourism businesses across the county have until July 31 to submit their applications.

Rachel McQueen, chief executive of Marketing Lancashire, commenting on the launch of applications said: “This will be my first Lancashire Tourism Awards as chief executive and I couldn’t be more thrilled at the prospect of seeing those businesses, who contribute so much to the success of Lancashire’s visitor economy, celebrated and rewarded for their outstanding achievements.

“Marketing Lancashire is proud to deliver Lancashire’s only county-wide, annual celebration of tourism, supported by sponsors and partners who also want to acknowledge the significance tourism makes to Lancashire’s continuing prosperity.

“The Lancashire Tourism Awards go from strength-to-strength each year and Lancashire’s success at the Visit England Awards for Excellence is testament to the strength and quality of our product on a national level.

“It’s a proud event for Lancashire tourism.”

Together, the county attracts over 67 million visitors, who contribute £4.13bn to the Lancashire economy and support more than 59,000 jobs.

This year, four awards linked to the county’s flourishing food and drink sector have been identified as part of Marketing Lancashire’s Taste Lancashire campaign.

The Taste Lancashire categories now include: Taste Lancashire Restaurant, Taste Lancashire Cafe/Tearoom, Taste Lancashire Pub/Inn, Taste Lancashire Producer.

The award category open to hotels (under 30 bedrooms), B&Bs, guest houses and boutique accommodation has a new title, the Lancashire Perfect Stay Award. This award recognises the breadth of choice and wide appeal of Lancashire’s smaller properties.

The Lancashire Tourism Awards 2018 will once again honour an industry colleague with the title Lancashire Tourism Superstar, following public nomination and voting.

Details and application forms can be had at LancashireTourismAwards.com