East of England Tourism Awards finalists announced

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