Bridlington and Sewerby Attractions Make Tourism Awards Shortlist

Tuesday, 12 September 2023 15:39

By Matthew Pells

Current champions are going head-to-head with first-time finalists in the battle to be crowned the “best of the best” at this year’s Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards.

The much-anticipated shortlist of finalists, revealed today by Visit Hull and East Yorkshire (VHEY), is being described as “the most exciting ever”.

In total, 60 businesses and attractions will be represented at the glittering awards night at DoubleTree by Hilton, Hull, on Thursday, November 9.

This year is the 13th time the awards have been held, and they are being run in association with the national Visit England Awards. Eligible winners will be automatically forwarded to the Visit England Awards for Excellence 2024.

Dominic Gibbons, managing director of the awards main sponsor, Wykeland, said:

“The awards are a testament to the popularity of the region as a visitor destination and the range of what’s on offer to see and do within Hull and East Yorkshire.

“The visitor economy is a hugely important sector for the region’s economic growth and prosperity and good luck to all of the amazing finalists this year”

In total, six current champions have made it through to the finals again when 16 awards will be presented.

Bridlington Spa has been shortlisted for the Remarkable Business Events Venue of the Year award, the Meerkat Experience at Bridlington Animal Park is on the shortlist for Remarkable Experience of the Year.

The Ship Inn, in Sewerby has been shortlisted for Remarkable Pub of the Year. Sewerby Hall and Gardens is on the shortlist for Remarkable Visitor Attraction of the Year and the attractions Sewerby Winter Woodland event has been shortlisted for the Remarkable Tourism Event of the Year award.

There’s no shortage of newcomers, though, and a new business, Dumble Farm, based near Beverley, is shortlisted for Remarkable New Tourism Business for its ”immersive, fun, educational and all-encompassing experience into the world of Highland cows conservation and sustainable farming”.

Pride in Hull, which attracted more than 70,000 people, is also through to the final of the Remarkable Tourism Event of the Year, having won the award back in 2020.

Pride is up against a fantastic array of new and established tourism events, which also include Tribfest, the world’s biggest tribute band music festival, set in the historic grounds of Sledmere House.

Visit Hull and East Yorkshire said they had been “stunned” by the quality of entries.

A VHEY spokesperson said:

“Tourism plays such an important part in making Hull and East Yorkshire such a wonderful place to live and visit.

“The feedback we get from day visitors and holidaymakers makes us proud and shows just how far we have come since the first awards were held over 13 years ago.

“This is a remarkable event to celebrate a remarkable industry, which contributes almost £1 billion annually to the Hull and East Yorkshire economy and provides employment for over 18,000 people. The awards showcase the very best that Hull and East Yorkshire have to offer.

"We are working in partnership with VisitEngland and have aligned a number of our categories, and are using a shared online application process. This means that, in most REYTA categories, the winners will automatically be put forward, if eligible, for judging in the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence without any further application.”

“A huge thank you for all of the businesses that have engaged with the REYTA’s this year, as well as our main sponsors Wykeland and Fred Marketing, along with our category sponsors, without whom the awards would not be possible”