How to enter

It has never been easier to enter the Tourism ExSEllence Awards.

2009 sees the introduction of an on-line entry form.  There are just a few simple standard rules to bear in mind.  Don’t forget businesses can enter more than one category, and it is only winners at the 2009 national awards who cannot enter the same category in the following year.

All submissions must be received by 5pm on Wednesday 8 July 2009.

Supporting evidence must be provided with each entry.  These enable the business to showcase their entry and are important in influening the judges decision. The supporting materials should be sent by post for the attention of Dan Holmes, Tourism ExSEllence Awards 2009, 40 Chamberlayne Road, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO50 5JH.

Access for All Tourism Award

This award covers all areas of the tourism product including accommodation, attractions, leisure, transport etc. The award winner will offer high levels of both service and facilities related to visitors with varying access requirements. Businesses must have implemented an Access Statement of Intent, introduced an Access Plan and where applicable been assessed as part of or introduced criteria described within the National Accessible Scheme (NAS).

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Bed & Breakfast/Guest Accommodation of the Year

This award covers all areas of Bed & Breakfasts including farmhouses, inns, restaurants with rooms, guesthouses and guest accommodation. The award winner will offer a high standard of accommodation and customer care in a homely and friendly atmosphere. All properties must have a minimum of an AA or VisitBritain 4 or 5 star rating and with an AA Yellow star or VisitBritain Gold or Silver Award.

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Best Tourism Experience of the Year

Any tourism business providing an innovative and distinctive experience for their customers, for example, activity providers, tour providers, guided walks, festivals and events. Festival and events must have taken place between May 2008 and January 2009 and must be an annual event. One off events and festivals are not eligible for entry.

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This award is now closed for entries

Business Tourism Award of the Year

This award acknowledges the huge importance of the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions sectors of the tourism industry. Any organisation offering business tourism products and services (eg conference and exhibition centres, hotels, events management, venue booking bureau) can enter.

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This award is now closed for entries

Caravan Holiday Park of the Year

This award recognises caravan parks that have boosted business by making the most of their distinctive appeal. Parks with a VisitBritain 4 or 5 star rating or in the British Graded Holiday Parks Scheme can enter.

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Flavour of the South East Award

This award is open to tourism businesses which produce locally grown/sourced food and drink and/or use/offer locally grown/sourced food and drink. All entries must include a visitor experience (eg tours, events, sampling opportunities).

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Large Hotel/Townhouse of the Year

This award is aimed at all Hotels, Town House Hotels, Country House Hotels, and Metro Hotels  over 35 bedrooms, and could include a range of establishments from the independent operators to the imposing flagship of an international chain.

All businesses must have a Visit Britain or AA 1 to 5 star rating.  Those with a VisitBritain or AA equivalent are preferable but not essential.

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This award is now closed for entries

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year

This award is for Visitor Attractions with more than 50,000 visitors per annum. This award covers venues that can be visited within its published opening times and offers tours and other activities as part of its overall experience. All businesses must be signed up to the Code or Practice for Visitor Attractions or participate in the VAQAS standard.

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This award is now closed for entries

Outstanding Customer Service

This is the only award that is about celebrating the success of an individual within an organisation. The award is designed to reward exceptional standards of customer care.

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This award is now closed for entries

Self-Catering Holiday of the Year

This category awards self-catering establishments or serviced apartments that have boosted business by making the most of their distinctive appeal. Business must have a VisitBritain 4 or 5 star rating. Where multiple units have entered all must achieve 4 or 5 stars.

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This award is now closed for entries

Small Hotel/Townhouse of the Year

This award is aimed at all Hotels, Small Hotels, Town Houses, Country House Hotels and Metro Hotels with under 50 bedrooms. 

All businesses must have a Visit Britain or AA 1 to 5 star rating. Those with a VisitBritain or AA equivalent are preferable but not essential.

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This award is now closed for entries

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year

This award is for Visitor Attractions with less than 50,000 visitors per annum. This award covers venues that can be visited within its published opening times and offers visitor activities as part of its overall experience. Attractions will be judged on the overall quality of the experience they provide. All businesses must be signed up to the Code or Practice for Visitor Attractions or participate in the VAQAS standard.

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This award is now closed for entries

Sports Tourism Award (regional category)

Open to both businesses offering activities/participation based sports tourism products and services (eg cycling, sailing, horse riding) and spectator sports (eg major events, festivals, venues) Entrants must attract day visitors and tourists as well as local residents.

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Sustainable Tourism Award

This award has been designed to reward tourism businesses working to maximise their positive impact on the environment and local area/community.

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This award is now closed for entries

Tourist Information Service of the Year

This award acknowledges the important part played by tourist information providers in the delivery of visitor services. The awards are open to Enjoy England Official partners only.

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This award is now closed for entries

Tourism Event of the Year - New for 2009

This award covers Events and Festivals of a substantial nature.  These are likely to involve large volumes of visitors and a timed programme.  This would usually be either over a weekend, week(s), month or season. The event is likely to have an audited or estimated footfall in excess of 20,000 visitors.   It can be for either a paid entry or free audience/attendance event.   The event can be a one-off happening, or one in a rolling series of annual events with a proven track record. It should be noted that the supporting evidence in the submissions for this category are particularly important as any final assessment may have to be retrospective.

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Tourism In Bloom of the Year (regional category) - New for 2009

Tourism In Bloom of the YearThe Tourism In Bloom Award is delivered in partnership South & South East in Bloom. Winners in 5 of these categories will be judged within a tourism context for the Tourism ExSEllence Awards. For further information contact Kate Holman at Kate@sseib.com

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