Lincolnshire brings home double Bronze from the Visit England Tourism Excellence Awards 2023
During an evening filled with magic, that took place at Warner Bros Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, Healing Manor Hotel, and International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) were named Visit England bronze award winners, placing them firmly among the UK's top visitor economy businesses.
Seated on Platform 9 and 3/4, alongside an incredible selection of finalists, the two businesses proudly flew the Lincolnshire flag, securing wins in both the Resilience and Innovation and Large Visitor Attraction categories.
The IBCC was shortlisted alongside Blenheim Palace and the Warner Bros. Studio. To have achieved Bronze status after only five years and to be among these giants of the tourism industry is a huge nod to the efforts, passion and dedication of the team of staff and volunteers that keep IBCC open daily. Their commitment to making the IBCC the best that it can be and ensuring every visitor receives a warm welcome and has a wonderful experience is, as IBCC Chief Executive Nicky Van Der Drift says, why the attraction can compete on a national stage.
Nicky said: “Despite all the challenges of raising funds, major archaeological works and the COVID pandemic, the team has been resolute and determined to see the job is done and done well. It has been a long and difficult journey so being awarded this Bronze award amongst the best of England’s tourism offer is a real pat on the back for everyone who has supported us. We’re proud to be flying the flag for our beautiful county on a national stage.”
Healing Manor Hotel was shortlisted alongside Langley Castle Hotel in Northumberland and St Luke’s Bombed Out Church C.I.C. in Liverpool, two incredible tenacious businesses that, like Haling Manor, have shown such creativity in their approach to evolution and innovation.
Charlotte Bennett, Director at Healing Manor Hotel, said: “What an honour to have received Bronze in the resilience and innovation category. While this award reflects on our immediate pivot during COVID and the lockdowns in 2020, it also represents the huge changes we have made as a small and independent business, to not only bring our supply chain and carbon footprint to the forefront of our story but to completely transition our team culture and turn the perception of working in hospitality on its head. As a company we have put our ‘people challenge’ at the forefront of our strategy, to create a sustainable and locally focused future, here at Healing Manor Hotel.”
Charlotte Goy, CEO at Destination Lincolnshire, added: “It was a privilege to stand by the side of our two Destination Lincolnshire partners at the Visit England Tourism Excellence Awards final this year. The entire team and I are beyond proud to see both Healing Manor Hotel and IBCC representing Lincolnshire on the national stage, shoulder-to-shoulder with the very best businesses in the industry.
“Charlotte, Nicky and their teams do a fantastic job of flying the Lincolnshire flag. As well as offering outstanding customer services and visitor experiences, they are both remarkable businesswomen who have played a key role in driving forward our £2.4bn visitor economy in Greater Lincolnshire after the pandemic. It is an absolute honour to work with them and celebrate this fantastic win with them both.
“The Visit England Tourism Excellence Awards are designed to celebrate and demonstrate the quality of our country’s visitor offer – with two Bronze accolades awarded to these phenomenal businesses, we are absolutely shining a light on where Lincolnshire sits on the map and recognising the county as an award-winning destination. And don’t forget, applications to our 2023 Regional Tourism Awards are now open. We hope to see even more of our visitor economy businesses entering and representing Lincolnshire at 2024's national awards.”
Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Awards 2023
Following last year’s sold-out event, the Destination Lincolnshire team is thrilled to once again be opening these prestigious awards for applications. This is an incredible opportunity for businesses working within the visitor economy to be recognised and put forward at a national level through the Visit England Awards 2024.
Once again launching in partnership with Stonebow Media - alongside current sponsors Duncan & Toplis, North Kesteven District Council, Fizzco, Visual Print & Design - this year, twelve categories have been created specifically in partnership with Visit England, with the winners of these categories being put forward for the national Visit England Awards 2024.
All categories open for nominations today (May 19, 2023) and close at midnight on July 12. Judging round one will start on July 17 and close on July 30, with the Mystery Shopping round beginning on August 7 and concluding on September 22. The awards ceremony itself will be held at the Engine Shed on October 12.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available for anyone who wants to be involved and support the awards. Please email Laura@destinationlincolnshire.co.uk.
Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards categories:
- Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award
- Experience of the Year
- Hotel of the Year
- New Tourism Business Award
- Pub of the Year
- Unsung Hero Award
- Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year
- Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
- B&B and Guest House of the Year
- Taste of England (Taste Lincolnshire)
- Small Visitor Attraction
- Large Visitor Attraction
- Customer Service Excellence Award (regional award only)
- Marketing Campaign (regional award only)
- Arts, Culture and Heritage (regional award only)
To enter this year’s regional Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards, and for more information, visit lincolnshiretourismawards.com.