Applications are now open for Visit York Tourism Awards 2024: Celebrating the best in tourism, hospitality and culture

Entries are now open for the prestigious Visit York Tourism Awards 2024, sponsored by LNER, which recognises and celebrates outstanding businesses and individuals that deliver world class experiences within the city of York.

The previous Visit York Tourism Awards took place earlier this year in March, where 16 of York’s top tourism businesses celebrated a win at the ceremony at York Racecourse. Winners of eligible categories were put forward to the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, which saw The Dovecote Barns winning silver in the Self-Catering Accommodation award category.  

Returning on the 14th March 2024 at York Racecourse for a black-tie ceremony and an evening of entertainment, there will be 17 Visit York Tourism Awards up for grabs including:  

• B&B and Guest House of the Year 

• Business Event Venue of the Year 

• Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year 

• Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award 

• Experience of the Year 

• Large Hotel of the Year 

• Large Visitor Attraction of the Year 

• New Tourism Business Award 

• Pub of the Year 

• Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year 

• Small Hotel of the Year 

• Small Visitor Attraction of the Year 

• Taste of England Award 

• The Best of York Award* 

• Independent Business of the Year* 

• Event, Festival or Cultural Experience of the Year* 

• Retailer of the Year* 

There are two new categories introduced for the 2024 awards – ‘The Best of York Award’ and ‘Independent Business of the Year’.  

Businesses large and small, from hotels to restaurants, attractions to retailers; businesses and cultural organisations across the city are being urged to enter, with the deadline of 25th August 2023, 5pm to submit entries. The awards are free to enter for Visit York members and £150 for non-members.  

Once all the entries are in, a panel of independent judges will decide on the final shortlist, and then winners. The decisions will be made based on a mix of mystery shopping and rigorous analysis against the entry criteria. Businesses can check the eligibility criteria and enter the Visit York Tourism Awards online at https://www.visityork.org/tourismawards. 

Sarah Loftus, Managing Director at Make It York, said: “The Visit York Tourism Awards celebrate the very best in tourism, hospitality and culture in our city and surrounding areas. There are so many amazing local businesses and organisations that make York a world-renowned city, and these awards are a great way to be able to celebrate all the hard work that goes into providing exceptional visitor experiences. For many years, winning these awards has had huge benefits for the businesses both regionally and nationally, with many awards being automatically put forward for the VisitEngland Award for Excellence.  

With 17 opportunities to take home an award in 2024, as well as the introduction of two new categories, businesses have until 25th August to get their entries in.” 

* These categories are local awards and not eligible for the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence