06/03/2009

After a record number of entries, Visit York announces the finalists for the 2009 York Tourism Awards in the sixteen categories below. The panel of judges will now spend the coming weeks reviewing those short listed and the winners will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony to be held at York Racecourse on Thursday 2nd April 2009.

Now in their 12th year, York's Tourism ‘Oscars' recognise excellence in the city's tourism industry. The event, to be compered by the BBC's Harry Gration and sponsored by over twenty York businesses, will celebrate individuals and companies that go that extra mile for their visitors.

The highly prized title of York Ambassador - awarded each year to someone who has gone far beyond the call of duty to promote the city to York's visitors - will be kept a closely guarded secret, revealed only at the Awards ceremony.

Gillian Cruddas Chief Executive of Visit York said,

"We have been overwhelmed by the number and quality of entries this year and it has been very difficult to shortlist the finalists. The value of winning a prestigious York Tourism Award is recognised by the city's tourism businesses and we thank everyone that entered. I would like to congratulate the individuals and businesses who have reached this important stage. We now wish them the very best of luck and look forward to the sparkling Award ceremony on the 2nd April where the tourism industry will celebrate the best of York."

The finalists are as follows:

Sales Person, sponsored by Ideas Group
· Claudia Cardosa Poce de Leon, Fenwick
· Louise Huckerby, The Marriott Hotel
· Nikki Branan, The Monkbar Hotel

Behind the Scenes Employee, sponsored by The Jespers Office
· Brenda Glen, Middlethorpe Hall
· Moira Cook, Burn Hall Hotel and Conference Centre
· Tony Newby, The Monkbar Hotel

Front of House Employee, sponsored by FR Fowler & Son Burnholme Fisheries
· Annabel Saunders, The Living Room
· Jose Luis Sanchez, Middlethorpe Hall
· Lucy Crowther, York Designer Outlet
· Tony Morgan Taylor, Jorvik Viking Centre

Supervisor/Department Manager, sponsored by YCE Catering Equipment
· Dave Asbury, The Monkbar Hotel
· David Barker, Middlethorpe Hall
· Philip Schofield, The Royal York Hotel
· Valerie Storrer, The Dean Court Hotel

Outstanding Customer Service, sponsored by Pindar Graphics
· Greg Palmer, Monkbar Hotel
· Jane and William Brown, Monkgate Guest House,
· Lucy Crowther, York Designer Outlet
· Team Entry, The Grange Hotel

Award in Culinary Excellence, sponsored by Deliciously Yorkshire
· Benjamin Watson, The Dean Court Hotel
· Chris Grant, The Dean Court Hotel
· Dominic O'Connor, The Royal York Hotel
· Richard Shelton,  The Burn Hall Hotel and Conference Centre

Best Marketing Campaign, sponsored by Leeds Bradford International Airport
· The Grand Tour, York Museums Trust
· History of York, York Museums Trust
· North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Best Hotel, sponsored by Matthew Clark
· The Dean Court Hotel
· The Park Inn
· The Marriott Hotel
· Middlethorpe Hall

Best Guest House, sponsored by Yorkshire Laundry Service Ltd
· The Farthings
· Low Penhow
· Monkgate Guesthouse
· Warrens Guest House

Best Self Catering Accommodation, sponsored by New Vision
· The Dovecote Barns
· Skipworth Station Holidays
· York Luxury Holidays

Best Conference Business, sponsored by Alphasound and Ceejay Graphics
· The Monkbar Hotel
· National Railway Museum
· York Museums Trust
· York Science Park

Best Attraction, sponsored by National Express East Coast
· Castle Howard
· Go Ape
· North Yorkshire Moors Railway
· York Maze

Best Visitor Experience, sponsored by Foundation Marketing Communications
· Ghost Hunt of York (Andy Auster)
· The Grand Tour (by York Museums Trust)
· The Railway Children (by the National Railway Museum and York Theatre Royal)
· York Maze Firework Spectacular (by York Maze)

Best Eating Place, sponsored by Falcon Food Service Equipment and Williams Refrigeration
· Café Harlequin
· Café No. 8
· Ivy Brasserie
· Jeff Baker's Bistro Moderne
· The Living Room
· Melton's Too

Best Employer, sponsored by Denison Till
· The Dean Court Hotel
· The Marriott Hotel
· The Monkbar Hotel
· The Royal York Hotel

The Visit York Tourism Awards event is open to any businesses with an interest in tourism and can be booked online at www.reg.istrations.com entering the code yrkta09 or by calling Stuart Blackmore on 01904 554426. This is the one tourism event of the year not to be missed, with live music and a disco the evening promises to be a fantastic celebration for the city's tourism businesses.  Proceeds from the chartity casino, sponsored by Morrell Middleton and Hotel Noir, will go to shopmobility.

Gillian continued, ‘We know that these are challenging times for many businesses.  We believe it's more important than ever that we recognise and value the contribution that York's tourism industry makes to the city and that we reward all the excellent work that's going on here in York.  We're looking forward to congratulating our winners.'  ENDS

For more information, please contact Kay Hyde, PR Manager, Visit York,
Tel: 01904 554451, email: kh@visityork.org or Katie Porter, PR Executive Tel 01904 554436 email kp@visityork.org

Notes to Editors:

York Ambassador - sponsored by First 
This award goes to an individual who consistently goes out of his or her way to ensure visitors have a memorable time in York and leave wanting to revisit. Previous winners have included a bus driver, a taxi driver and a tour guide. The 2008 winner was Sister Agatha whose tireless efforts over many years raised the profile of Bar Convent and promoted York around the world.

The judges are looking for evidence that nominees have:
· acted above and beyond the call of duty.
· consistently endeavoured to promote York.
· contributed to enhancing the overall visitor experience.
· a commitment to quality and improvement.
· are enthusiastic and highly motivated in what they do.

Applications will be assessed by an independent panel of judges.

Tickets for the tourism awards cost £37.50 - this includes a drinks reception, live band, charity casino and a three course dinner, carriages at midnight.  This is a black tie event. 

Judges for the awards are from the city of York council, the Bar Convent, york-england.com, the Yorkshire Tourist Board, the York Press, Deliciously Yorkshire, Denison Till and Business Link.