Eden, Cumbria, The Lake District – A natural choice for business

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Entries for the Cumbria Tourism Awards 2024 are now open

31 January 2024

Entries for the Cumbria Tourism Awards 2024 are now open. 

The awards coincide with Cumbria Tourism’s 50th anniversary and give the county’s tourism operators an opportunity to share their success stories and generate publicity for their businesses. 

With an emphasis on quality customer service and innovation, businesses from across Cumbria’s tourism and hospitality sector have until 5pm on Friday 1st March to enter one or more of the 16 categories. 

The finalists will be selected by an independent panel of industry experts and will walk the red carpet at a VIP awards ceremony on Tuesday 2nd July at the Castle Green Hotel near Kendal.  

Winners in several categories will automatically be entered into the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2025 for the chance to gain national recognition. 

The full list of categories for the Cumbria Tourism Awards 2024 are: 

  • Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award. 
  • B&B and Guest House of the Year – sponsored by Dodd & Co. 
  • Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year – sponsored by Burnetts.  
  • Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award – sponsored by Westmorland and Furness Council. 
  • Experience of the Year. 
  • Large Hotel of the Year – sponsored by Christie & Co. 
  • Large Visitor Attraction of the Year – sponsored by H&H Reeds. 
  • Makers and Producers Award. 
  • New Tourism Business Award – sponsored by Thomson Hayton Winkley. 
  • Pub of the Year. 
  • Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year – sponsored by The Cumberland. 
  • Small Hotel of the Year – sponsored by Colliers. 
  • Small Visitor Attraction of the Year. 
  • Taste of Cumbria Award – sponsored by Lamont Pridmore. 
  • The Sheila Hensman Unsung Hero Award. 
  • Wedding Venue of the Year – sponsored by H&H Insurance Brokers. 

Managing director of Cumbria Tourism, Gill Haigh, said: “Our tourism businesses offer the highest quality to visitors and we want to hear from the full variety of local tourism businesses, makers and producers, as well as individual nominees for the Unsung Hero Award. 

“The Cumbria Tourism Awards are a high-profile opportunity to showcase your successes, achievements and approach to excellence in your products, customer service, welcome, marketing and sustainable tourism practices.  

“This year is Cumbria Tourism’s milestone 50th anniversary year, so it’s an extra special time to enter and celebrate not only your business, but our wider world-class destination too. 

“The whole process of entering the Cumbria Tourism Awards can also help gather invaluable feedback and insights for a business and how it can grow, develop and innovate for the future.  

“Each year applicants tell us it’s a really constructive process, with thorough feedback which genuinely supports them and builds pride for the whole team.” 

Full details on how to enter can be found at www.cumbriatourism.org/awards

Businesses do not need to be a member of Cumbria Tourism to apply. 

Cumbria Tourism is also holding a free, practical workshop on writing a great award entry on Wednesday 7th February to help businesses shape their applications against the judging criteria by VisitEngland.