Attractions big and small up for Tourism Awards
SOME of the region’s best known hotels, attractions and pubs have been shortlisted in the West Midlands Tourism Awards 2022.
A total of 33 different venues have been named as finalists in the awards across 13 categories including for the best large and small hotels, self-catering accommodation and visitor attractions.
There are multiple nominations for Coventry’s HMV Empire, Riverside Cabins in Shrewsbury and Shakespeare Distillery in Stratfordupon-Avon.
In recognition of an extremely turbulent two years for the tourism industry, organisers have added a new category for the year to celebrate resilience and innovation which will honour a West Midlands organisation showing particular flexibility as well as support for their local communities during the coronavirus pandemic.
The awards are supported by the West Midlands Growth Company, one of the partners responsible for delivering the three-year Business and Tourism Programme which aims to leverage the profile of the
2022 Commonwealth Games to attract more tourists and events to the West Midlands and UK.
Becky Frall, head of visitor attraction at the growth company, said: “The West Midlands Tourism Awards will celebrate the venues which, despite working in an often unpredictable climate, have consistently delivered a first-class welcome for
our region’s visitors.
“This year, more than ever, major global events such as the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the Birmingham 2022 Festival and the culmination of the UK City of Culture in Coventry are set to produce lifelong memories for everyone who comes to the region.”
Pre-pandemic, the tourism sector
contributed £13.1 billion to the West Midlands economy, attracting 134 million visitors and supporting more than 137,000 full-time equivalent jobs.
The awards are being held in March and regional winners will automatically be put through to the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in June.