Tourism stars set to be named
The special guest for the awards night at The Ricoh Arena in Coventry will be Lady Cobham, the chairman of VisitEngland.
The inaugural awards are being organised by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and Quidem, which owns Touch FM stations, and is supported by Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Coventry City Council and Warwickshire County Council.
Catherine Mallyon, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s executive director and chairman of the CWLEP’s culture and tourism business group, said: “The CWLEP recognises the importance of culture and tourism in improving people’s quality of life and the economic vitality of Coventry and Warwickshire.
“We are delighted to sponsor the Business Tourism category and pleased to see so many excellent organisations taking part. We would like to wish everyone who has been nominated the very best of luck.”
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, leader of Warwickshire County Council, added: “Our arts, culture, heritage and leisure destinations create a vibrant tourism economy, which is the envy of many.
“It is a great pleasure to support the Coventry and Warwickshire Tourism and Culture Awards and celebrate the success of this vital local industry. We wish everyone well on the night.”
The nominees:
Best B&B or Inn: Avonlea Guest House; The Bell, Alderminster; Broom Hall Inn.
Best Hotel: The Arden Hotel, Stratford; Brownsover Hall Hotel, Rugby; Coombe Abbey Hotel, Coventry; Mallory Court Hotel, Leamington.
Best Experience: Coventry Ghost Walk; FarGo Village; The Toft Alpaca Shop; Shakespeare Walking Tour (Part of Tudor World).
Best Pub: The Bell at Alderminster; The Bluebell at Henley-in-Arden; The Dirty Duck, Stratford; The Merchants Inn, Rugby.
Best Restaurant: The Bluebell at Henley-in-Arden; The Cross at Kenilworth; Loxleys Restaurant and Wine Bar, Stratford; Tumeric Gold, Coventry.
Best Venue Music, Arts and Theatre: The Belgrade Theatre; Stratford ArtsHouse, Warwick Arts Centre. Business Tourism Award: Ashorne Hill Management College; Coombe Abbey Hotel; The Ricoh Arena; Woodland Grange Conference and Meeting venue.
The Customer Service Award: Compton Verney; Coventry Ambassadors; The Ricoh Arena; The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust; Woodland Grange Meeting and Conference Venue.
The History and Heritage Award: Coventry Cathedral; Coventry Music Museum; Coventry Transport Museum; The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust; Stoneleigh Abbey.
The Kids and Families Award: Charlecote Park; Compton Verney; The Mad Museum; Warwick Arts Centre.
The Bright Idea Award: Heritage and Culture Warwickshire; The Mad Museum; The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust (Shakespeare Week).
The Culture Award: Herbert Art Gallery and Museum — The Story of Children’s Television 1946 to Today; The RSC; Rugby Festival of Culture; Warwick Arts Centre — Mead Gallery; Warwick Folk Festival.
Tourism Event of the Year: Coventry Godiva Festival; Fargo Village — Coventry Pride Festival; Herbert Art Gallery and Museum — The Story of Children’s Television 1946 to Today; Shakespeare Birthplace Trust 2014 Lightshow; Stratford River Festival.
