University of Leicester picks up two awards in VisitEnglands Awards for Excellence
The University of Leicester competed in national awards at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2016 at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool where Attenborough Arts Centre and King Richard III Partnership won awards amongst the country’s elite tourism offers.
The Leicester and Leicestershire finalists won:
- Attenborough Arts Centre – Highly Commended in Access for All category
- The Dandelion Hideaway – Highly Commended in Self Catering Holiday Provider category
- King Richard III Partnership – Bronze Award in Tourism Experience category
The King Richard lll Partnership is made up of Leicester City Council, Leicester Cathedral, Leicestershire County Council and the University of Leicester. It was nominated for the reinterment of King Richard lll, which took place in March 2015. The Dandelion Hideaway is a luxury glamping site, based on a beautiful working farm in Osbaston, Leicestershire. The University of Leicester’s Attenborough Arts Centre is a pioneering and inclusive arts centre.
- Michaela Butter and Jeremy Webster from Attenborough Arts receive their award.
Martin Peters, Chief Executive of Leicester Shire Promotions added: “We’re proud that three local organisations made the finals of the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence Awards. To compete and win a range of awards against the country’s premier tourism businesses demonstrates the quality and breadth of the Leicester and Leicestershire tourism industry offer.”
“Awards for Excellence finalists exemplify outstanding tourism talent and distinguished businesses throughout England,” said Sally Balcombe, CEO of VisitBritain and VisitEngland. “We received over 400 truly impressive applications this year and there’s absolutely no doubt those shortlisted are a representatives of the best in the industry who place delivering an unforgettable experience to visitors in England at the heart of their business operations.
“These awards are the highest accolade in the industry, recognising the world-class tourism experiences that can be found throughout England. As ever competition has been fierce, with winners from the regions coming through to compete at a national level so my congratulations to all our winners, especially the Gold Award winners who are the standard bearers for English tourism.”
Tourism Minister David Evennett said: “The success of our world-leading tourism industry is due to the passion and dedication of individuals across the country. These awards highlight the huge talent we have, and the fantastic contribution winners and nominees have made to the sector, and I congratulate them all.”