The finalists for the East of England Tourism Awards 2021-2022 have been announced – and what a tough job it was for our judges!
As organizer of the awards, Archant is delighted to recognize outstanding effort and achievement within the tourism and hospitality industry – see the full list of finalists below.
Tourism is a vital part of the region’s economy, attracting 140 million day-trippers a year and nearly 10 million stays, and directly employing around 240,000 people. And in this age of vacations, we’re incredibly lucky to have so many wonderful places to discover right on our doorstep.
Alongside the exceptional destinations of the Broads, our beaches and countryside are the hotels, restaurants, pubs, cafes, campsites, attractions and more that help make these areas wonderful places to visit and stay.
The rewards will be more poignant than ever following the significant challenges encountered during the pandemic. It is a testament to the resilience of the industry that organizations have been able to overcome these challenges by diversifying their business models and being innovative and creative in their thinking.
This year’s reinvigorated awards are brought to you in association with Visit East of England and have been made possible through a range of sponsors, led by our lead partner, Hoseasons.
Andy Wood OBE, Chairman of Visit East of England, applauds the courage, entrepreneurship and creativity of our tourism and hospitality businesses as we progress to the finalist stage of the East of England Tourism Awards 2021 -2022.
“As the country learns to live with Covid, the tourism and hospitality industry looks forward to being fully open to welcoming visitors and guests in 2022,” Mr Wood said.
“For the largest industry and largest employer in the region, it is important that we recover as quickly as possible and return to pre-Covid levels where we had experienced significant growth in the region for much of it. of the decade.
“The hard work of companies and staff to keep the sector running has been outstanding. We happily put a smile on our faces for our customers, and there are certainly more reasons to smile in 2022. That’s why it’s important that we defend and celebrate our visitor economy – and that’s what the East of England Tourism Awards.
Tourism businesses operating in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire were invited to participate in the 15 categories, and judges chose four to five finalists in each.
A scintillating black tie event will take place at the Imperial War Museum Duxford on Thursday 24th February 2022, marking the celebration of those who have grappled with a year of change, challenges and new opportunities. The event will be hosted by David Whiteley and will raise funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities UK.
The winners and top two highly recommended businesses in each VisitEngland-aligned category will also compete in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence final, with the potential to triumph as the country’s best.
And the finalists are:
B&B and Guest House of the Year – sponsored by Tiptree
Alma Inn and Dining Rooms
Bed and Breakfast in Argyll House
Downham Hall
Suenos Guesthouse
Camping, Glamping, Holiday Park and Self-Catering of the Year – sponsored by cottages.com
Glamp and Tipple
Hippersons Shipyard
secret meadows
Wild with nature
Wolterton Park
Customer Excellence Award – sponsored by Swiss Campings
Barnham broom
Hippersons Shipyard
Country houses in Old Hall
Potters Resorts
Saffron Walden Tourist Information Center
Ethical, responsible and sustainable tourism award – sponsored by Biffa
Discover Ramsey
NOMADE Sea Kayak
Wild with nature
Woodland Holiday Parks
Experience of the year – sponsored by insight6
Brightlingsea Lido
Vintage tours in Cambridge
Watersports on Mersea Island
Prime Sailing
Sunnyfields honey and house
Grand Hotel of the Year – sponsored by Ensors
Salthouse Harbor Hotel
Seckford Hall Hotel & Spa
The Maids Head Hotel
Ufford Park Hotel, Golf & Spa
Wivenhoe House Hotel
Major tourist attraction of the year – sponsored by knp
Audley End Miniature Railway
Jimmy’s Farm and animal park
Pensthorpe Nature Park
RHS Garden Hyde Hall
ZSEA Banham Zoo
Marketing Campaign of the Year – sponsored by Pear Out Of Home
The best of Suffolk
Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park
Pensthorpe Nature Park
Potters Resorts
RORR! dinosaur adventure
New Tourism Business of the Year – sponsored by Larking Gowen
Felixstowe Beach Street
LandyCampers
Old Buckenham National Park
Rayne Legacy
Watatunga Wildlife Reserve
Ad of the year – sponsored by everard cole
Alma Inn and Dining Rooms
The Angel at Watlington
King’s Head Bawburgh
The weeping willow
The Lion at Thurne
Resilience and Innovation Award – sponsored by Howes Percival
Audley End Miniature Railway
chestnut
Potters Resorts
Richardson Recreation
Wroxham Barns
Small Hotel of the Year – sponsored by John Doe of Diss
The Assembly House
The crown
Hintlesham Hall Hotel
The pork hotel
Norfolk mead
Small Tourist Attraction of the Year – sponsored by Norfolk & Suffolk Tourist Attractions
English Spirit Distillery
Hippersons Shipyard
Rayleigh Town Museum
Shepreth Wildlife Park
Watatunga Wildlife Reserve
Taste of East of England Awards – sponsored by Adnams
Alma Inn and Dining Rooms
Restaurant pig and whistle
The English Whiskey Co.
The Lion’s Brewery
The Maids Head Hotel