The importance of UK inbound tourism industry has been showcased as trade association UKinbound honoured annual award winners.
The annual Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner in Belfast recognised tourism businesses, organisations and individuals.
The awards were presented in front of over 350 tourism and hospitality professionals at Belfast City Hall.
The winners were decided by a panel of independent judges from across the tourism industry.
These are Kurt Janson, former director of The Tourism Alliance; Jason Edwards, Jason Edwards Travel; and Dr Karen Thomas, director, Tourism and Events Research Hub, Canterbury Christ Church University.
The winners were:
Tour Operator of the Year – Angela Shanley Associates Ltd
Online Travel Agency of the Year – Get Your Guide
Accommodation Provider of the Year – Lake District Country Hotels
Attraction of the Year – Blenheim Palace
Destination Management Organisation of the Year – Visit Kent
Sightseeing Operator of the Year – Mountain Goat Tours
Transport Provider of the Year – Uber Boat by Thames Clippers
Service Provider of the Year: Professional Services – TravelBeat
Service Provider of the Year: Restaurants, Retail and Ticketing – Bustronome
Service Provider of the Year: Technology – Vox Group
Sustainable Tourism Provider of the Year – Game of Thrones Studio Tour
Young Excellence Award – Zoe Fleming, Liverpool Football Club
Members Choice Award – James Aitken, Cashel Travel
Chairman’s Choice Award – Rob Russell, AC Group
Joss Croft OBE, CEO UKinbound said: “Last year, our inbound tourism industry saw over 31 million visits from international tourists to the UK who spent over £26 billion,”
“Although these statistics are not quite up to the visit and spend levels seen in 2019 – this is still a fantastic achievement against the backdrop of a tough global economic climate.”
“Our Awards for Excellence are a great opportunity to reward and celebrate the industry.”
The Awards for Excellence were presented during the Annual Convention which took place at the Assembly Buildings in Belfast this week.
It featured an influential line-up of speakers including psychologist and motivational speaker Jamil Qureshi; Ellvena Graham, Chair of Tourism Northern Ireland and Patricia Yates, CEO, VisitBritain.
