East Midlands' tourism businesses celebrate national awards success

Four tourism businesses are celebrating after winning gold awards at the 2011 Enjoy England Excellence Awards, which were held tonight in the Great Hall at the University of Birmingham, whilst a further four businesses received silver awards.

First time entrant to the awards and one of Britain's most acclaimed stately homes, Chatsworth won Large Visitor Attraction in this national final organised by VisitEngland. Hoe Grange Holidays in the Peak District won the Access for All category and Highgate House in Northamptonshire received the accolade for Business Tourism. For the second year running the World Egg Throwing Championships, which are held annually in Swaton near Sleaford, won the Where Else But England award for epitomising English quirkiness.

The region's silver winners were Stretton Lakes in Rutland in the self catering holiday category; Buxton Festival for Best Tourism Event; Hotel Maiyango & Restaurant in Leicestershire in the Taste of England category; and the front of house team at East Lodge, Derbyshire for Outstanding Customer Service.

Mike Carr, executive director, businesses services, East Midlands Development Agency (emda) said: "These awards are highly contested by tourism businesses from across England and so for the East Midlands to come out with so many winners is a great achievement. We have developed a really diverse and high quality offer in the region and to see this acknowledged at a national level is important as it helps to showcase our excellent products to potential visitors. All of the awards winners should act as beacons of inspiration for other tourism businesses in the East Midlands as they have clearly demonstrated a commitment to excellence."

The finalists were selected by a panel of tourism industry judges which included previous gold winners, travel journalists and industry experts.

This is the second time in two years that the region has won four gold awards in the national final. In 2009 the East Midlands won the most gold awards of any English region.

All of the East Midlands winners went through to the national final following success in the 2010 East Midlands Tourism Enjoy England Excellence Awards.