The Chronicle (South Tyneside and Durham)
Tourism champions in hunt for top honour
TOURISM in the North East is being celebrated at the Visitengland Awards for Excellence this year with four finalists from our region.
The awards aim to champion the very best of England’s tourism industry and the North East is up for awards in categories including experience of the year, large hotel of the year, taste of England, and unsung hero.
Serenity Farne Island Boat Tours, based out of Seahouses in Northumberland, are looking to bring home the experience of the year title for a second consecutive year.
Andrew Douglas, who owns Serenity Farne Island Boat Tours, said: “It’s the second year on the trot, it’s absolutely amazing. It would be amazing if we could win it again, I’d be on cloud nine then.”
Also up for a second year is Rockliffe Hall Hotel, who will be hoping to take gold after they scooped bronze in the large hotel of the year award in 2023. First time finalists include Newcastle’s Blackfriars Restaurant
■■Experience of the year: Grey Seals and Seabird Cruise, Serenity Farne Island Boat Tours, Northumberland
■■Large hotel of the year: Rockliffe Hall Hotel, County Durham
■■Taste of England award: Blackfriars Restaurant, Newcastle upon Tyne
■■Unsung Hero Award: Duncan Wise, Northumberland National Park Authority
in the Taste of England award, and Duncan Wise of Northumberland National Park in the Unsung Hero Award.
Duncan was instrumental in obtaining dark skies status for Northumberland, with astrotourism now worth at least £25m to the county’s tourism economy. He is now a member of the Dark Sky International board, which assess dark sky designations across the globe.
He said: “It’s a real honour and when I got the North East award I
Rockliffe Hall Hotel
was very much taken aback. I’d like to thank my colleagues and the people I have worked with, it’s been a privilege to work for the national park and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my years here, especially the work I’ve done around dark skies.”
The North East nominations going on to the national awards all won gold in their categories at the North East Tourism Awards, held at Newcastle Civic Centre in February 2024. John Marshall, chair of Destination North East England, said he was delighted that four finalists are representing the region.
He said: “Our finalists are true North East champions and are rightfully taking their place on the national stage, showcasing exactly what our unique part of the world is all about. I’d like to wish our finalists the best of luck in Liverpool and congratulate them again on being true North Eastern trailblazers.”
Andrew Stokes, Visitengland director, said: “I am always impressed by the tourism businesses who make it onto our list of finalists with their innovative approaches to ensuring people have the most amazing experiences whilst delivering outstanding customer service across England. I congratulate all the finalists and wish them the very best of luck.”
The Visitengland Awards for Excellence ceremony will take place at the Rum Warehouse at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool on June 5, where gold, silver and bronze winners will be announced.