York Tourism Oscars - Winners Announced - 11 November 2006

York's tourism businesses celebrated in style yesterday (Friday 10th Nov) at the annual tourism 'Oscars', held at the National Railway Museum and organised by the Visit York. Sponsored by Leeds Bradford International Airport and Jet2.com, the Awards were handed out to thirteen deserving winners by BBC presenter Clare Frisby.

An independent panel of judges looked at hundreds of individual letters of praise from visiting customers. The highly prized Ambassador Award went to York Cabby Dionysis Bekatorus.

Originally from the tiny Island of Kefalonia in Greece, Dionysis has been cabbying in York for several years. Judges felt that Dionysis should be rewarded for the excellence of his work with Streamline Taxis.

Judy Macdermot, Director of York English Language Centre, said, 'The taxi driver sent to the airport to collect our visitors is their 'first face' of Britain. Dionysis makes sure he is well informed about everything that's on in York and goes that extra mile to help visitors get the most out of their stay. He has charisma coming out of his ears and deserves to be York Ambassador'.

Feversham Lodge scooped the Award for best guest house for the second year in a row, DIG, York's hands on archaeology experience won best Visitor Atraction and York's Maze won best Marketing campaign for its ingenious ideas including the UK sweetcorn eating championships and even a naked maze night. And If you're wondering where to dine this weekend why not try winner's of the best restaurant category Café Number Eight Bistro on Gillygate. A full list of the winners is as follows:

VIP guest, Deputy Chairman of Visit Britain Lady Viscountess Cobham, said 'All the winners deserve a huge pat on the back for the high quality of customer care that is given to York's visitors - an essential ingredient for encouraging tourists to come back again and again'.

The winners of the York Tourism Awards 2006 are as follows:

Best Guest House

Winner: Feversham Lodge

Sponsor:Barry Crux and Company

Judges praised owners David and Elaine for their charming customer way with visitors. One happy customer wrote in to say; 'you really should put a warning on your advertisements - Your stay in other establishments in England may be a big disappointment after staying at Feversham Lodge'.

Best Self Catering

Winner: The Juniper

Sponsor:The Coppergate Centre

A stone's throw from the city centre at St Mary's Bootham this five star self catering was praised by the judges for its high standards and home comforts. Complimentary sparkling wine, Yorkshire Tea andTaylor's coffee help to make visitors feel welcome and all guests are personally greeted on arrival.

Best Hotel

Winner: Middlethorpe Hall

Sponsor:The Press

Described as 'York's Sleeping Beauty', judges complimented Middlethorpe on its quality rooms and excellent customer service. Recently Middlethorpe heard news of their three AA Rosettes for the restaurant and the icing on the cake this year was a personal thank you letter from none other than Prime Minster Tony Blair for his 'comfortable and enjoyable stay'.

Best Conference Business

Winner: The Park Inn

Sponsor:Northern Rail

Both judges and customers admired the helpfulness and professionalism of the Park Inn conference team. They were praised for asking customers what they want and fitting packages around them. Park Inn's ethos is to make meetings brighter, adding colour to day to day business.

Best Visitor Attraction

Winner: DIG

Sponsor:GNER

At Dig visitors get a hands on experience of archaeology. Judges were impressed by the involvement of staff at all levels, facilities for the disabled and commitment to both entertainment and education. Four year old Kelly Lancashire, wrote in to say 'In case you didn't know this we all thought it was great fun, I especially liked the bit where we had to guess what the Viking poo was and I liked the bit where we had to find skeletons best of all'.

Best Eating Place

Winner: Café No. 8 Bistro

Sponsor:Morrell Middleton

This small restaurant on Gillygate blends period features with modern décor and modern cuisine. Judges loved Number Eight's unusual menu, great atmosphere and friendly informative service.

Best Shop

Winner: The Japanese Shop

Sponsor:F B Jesper and Son Ltd

Owners Jez and Hiromi describe the Japanese Shop as a window for people to experience the culture of Japan and the shop's aim is to take the pleasure of purchasing to new levels. Customers are lulled into a sense of calm with gentle music, the smell of Japanese incense and offered hot and cold drinks whilst they are browsing. Judges complimented the staff on their good product knowledge and friendly service.

Best Website

Winner: www.yorkboat.co.uk

Sponsor:New Vision Group

Judges, web specialists at the University of York, praised the YorkBoat website for its ease of use, clear presentation and strong brand led design. New additions included a variety of texts, different languages and images to assist those with disabilities and recorded commentaries for the visually impaired.

Best Festival of Event

Winner: The St Leger Festival - Run by York Racecourse

Sponsor:York City Centre Partnership

York Racecourse proved yet again how it can turn a new event into a huge success story. Following on from Royal Ascot the eyes of the world were on York as the Ladbrokes St Leger brought visitors into the city in their thousands. As the oldest classic in the horseracing world, this event put York on the international sporting stage once again.

Best Marketing Campaign

Winner: York Maze

Sponsor:Biskit

This year's Maze design was based on Star Trek to mark the 40th anniversary of this popular television programme. Judges loved their new ideas including the largest scarecrow in the world, the UK sweetcorn eating championships and even a naked maze night.

Best Travel Journalist

Winner: Narin Bahar for her article in City Living - the Birmingham Post magazine.

Sponsor:First Stop York Tourism Partnership

Judge Francine Clee, Asst Editor of the Press praised Narin for being passionate and lively and for writing with infectious enthusiasm. A little excerpt from her article read..''Saying I don't have the best sense of direction is like saying Birmingham is a bit multicultural. So a weekend trip to York, famed for its medieval meandering streets and alleyways sounded like a potential disaster. In fact, I've never had so much fun being lost in my entire life. .'

Outstanding Customer Service

Winner: Jean Barton - Macdonald Black Swan Hotel

Sponsor:Smilesallround

Awarded an MBE for services to catering in 2001, Jean has been serving up breakfasts with a smile at the Black Swan Hotel in Helmsley for forty nine years. Jjudges were impressed by her loyalty, dedication to her customers and her outstanding professionalism.

Ambassador

Winner: Dionysis Bekatorus

Sponsor:Leeds Bradford International Airport and Jet2.com

Judges felt that Dion should be rewarded for the excellence of his work with Streamline Taxis. Judy Macdermot, Director of York English Language Centre, praised Dion for looking after her students. Judy praised Dion's sympathetic manner saying, 'Our students are immediately made to feel at ease by Dion. If flights have been delayed, he has always remained with them to ensure that they eventually board the plane for home. This is over and above what is required by his job and much appreciated by everyone concerned.'

ENDS

Interviews can be set up with the winners on Friday 10th November after the awards ceremony - from 1300 onwards.

Press Information For Further Information please contact: Kay Hyde, PR Manager, Visit York, Tel: 01904 554451 email kh@visityork.org