Introduction and Welcome
I’m delighted to welcome you to the new VisitEngland Awards for Excellence website. The Awards (known formerly as the Enjoy England Awards) have been running for 22 years and without doubt play a major role in showcasing the fantastic range of high quality experiences we offer for visitors here in England, no matter what their budget. The Awards have had a hugely positive impact on tourism in England providing a benchmark for all businesses to aspire to and delivering massive benefits to participants and winners alike. Simply by taking part you could improve your business performance in terms of turnover, profitability, quality, sustainability, staff morale and customer satisfaction.
The VisitEngland Awards for Excellence are open to tourism businesses, tourism support organisations and the thousands of excellent people who work in them. In previous years the Awards have consisted of a series of sub-national heats leading to a national finale. Due to the significant re-organisation of sub-national support for tourism this year we have reviewed the management of the Awards. VisitEngland wants to ensure that all businesses in all parts of the country have an opportunity to participate. Businesses without local competitions can therefore for the first time apply directly via this website. Please take the time to explore the website. If you do have local award competitions it will tell you where they are and will divert you to them. If not, it will allow you to register directly. In addition the site explains the benefits of taking part, shows examples of past winners, provides guidance notes and application forms.
Remember the Awards for Excellence are about you and are organised for your benefit. The prospect of receiving an Award at the glittering annual Awards Ceremony is indeed enticing, but the real reward is the benefit to your individual business and to English Tourism in general.
James Berresford
Chief Executive
VisitEngland