Stars of regional tourism shorlisted for VisitEngland awards

The cream of North East tourism have been shortlisted for honours at the prestigious Visit England award.

Kielder Water and Forest Park, WWT Washington Wetlands Centre,Rockcliffe Hall in Darlington and Blackfriars Restaurant have been named as finalists in the Visit England Awards for Excellence.

The awards represent the highest possible accolade for UK tourist destinations.

Sarah Stewart, chief executive of destination management and marketing organisation NewcastleGateshead Initiative and a VisitEngland board member, said: “Each of the North East’s shortlisted entrants provide a truly individual experience for visitors; from the varied wildlife experiences on offer at WWT Washington Wetland Centre to the sculpture trail and observatory at Kielder Water and Forest Park.

“Blackfriars Restaurant’s atmospheric medieval banquets and locally sourced ingredients add a local flavour to dining experiences with a difference and the tranquil yet luxurious surrounding of Rockliffe Hall provide the perfect backdrop for everything from board meetings to team building.

“It’s a tremendous achievement to be shortlisted for such prestigious awards and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all four on the fantastic experiences they offer.

“On behalf of all at NewcastleGateshead Initiative, I wish them good luck for the finals in May.”

In January, all four North East businesses won gold at the North East England Tourism Awards 2012 in the same categories they have now been shortlisted in for the national awards.

VisitEngland’s Awards for Excellence include 14 categories, with 5 finalists shortlisted in each.

Kielder Water & Forest park is up for the Tourism Experience of the year award and Blackfriars Restaurant is shortlisted in the Taste of England category.

Washington Wildlife Centre is shortlisted in the Small Visitor Attraction of the year award and Rockcliffe Hall is named in the Business Tourism Award category.

This will be the 20th Vist England ceremony, the awards seek to raise standards across the industry by celebrating the best quality and innovation in tourism.

James Berresford, VisitEngland’s chief executive, said: “I would like to congratulate all those nominated as VisitEngland Awards for Excellence finalists this year.

“We received 320 applications and the quality of submissions was higher than ever.

“It is therefore no small achievement to become a finalist and justifiably take credit and pride in earning a coveted place in the top five in their category in England.

“I wish everyone all the best for the final in May”.

The ceremony will take place on Monday 20 May 2013 at Lancashire County Cricket Club, Manchester