The countdown has begun in the search for the region’s remarkable tourism businesses, with the launch of the 2017 Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards (the REYTAs) by Visit Hull and East Yorkshire.
Regarded as the tourism “Oscars”, the REYTAs honour the very best, from major visitor attractions and events to hotels and accommodation providers, restaurants, pubs, cafes, food retailers and producers.
Current winners include Great Newsome Brewery, of South Frodingham, in the Remarkable Taste of East Yorkshire category, Beverley Food Festival, who picked up the award for best tourism event attracting more than 20,000 people and RSPB Bempton Cliffs and Hull Truck Theatre, joint winners of the best visitor attraction or experience.
Now in their eighth year, the 2017 awards will be bigger and better than ever, featuring some new categories and culminating in a glittering awards ceremony at the The Spa in Bridlington next March.
For the winners there’s also the chance of national glory, too, as they will all be eligible for shortlisting through to the finals of the Visit England Excellence Awards.
The REYTAs are open to all tourism businesses in Hull and East Yorkshire, large and small, and is free to enter by visiting www.hullandeastyorkshire.com/reyta and then following the links to fill in a simple entry form.
Shortlisting in each category will take place shortly after the closing date via independent panels and mystery shopping.
The closing date is January 27, 2017, ahead of the finals night on March 30, 2017.
New categories unveiled this time include the Remarkable Family Friendly Experience, which is open to to any food service, accommodation provider or visitor attraction that specialises in serving the family market, and the Remarkable Hull and East Yorkshire Passion Award for Arts and Culture.
VHEY Visitor Economy Manager Anthony Yates said those entering the family friendly experience award should be able to demonstrate what makes the experience special and memorable for families.
“Whatever the style of business, it must be truly welcoming to families and provide excellent hospitality and service to all,” he said.
The Passion Award for arts and culture is open to individuals, organisations or groups who have made a major contribution to arts and culture in our region within the last five years.
“For this category it will be possible either to nominate a person or an organisation or group who you think have been responsible for making a major contribution to the arts in Hull and East Yorkshire or, alternatively, individuals or organisations can enter themselves,” said Mr Yates.
He said the REYTAs continued to grow in significance year on year with each year setting a record for entries. “Our winners are magnificent torch bearers for all that’s good about Hull and East Yorkshire and will be readily identifiable with the area.
“Hull and East Yorkshire is proving itself to be one of the top choices for visitors from outside our region as well as offering fantastic choices for local people to enjoy all year round.”
Retained after being introduced as a new category last year is the Remarkable Newcomer Award for an individual or business set up between 1st January 2015 and 30th June 2016. “We want to recognise all of the new and fledgling tourism businesses that have recently started up in Hull & East Yorkshire and offer a new and exciting experience for our visitors,” said Mr Yates.
Recognising the prestige and importance of the REYTAs, Councillor Jane Evison, cabinet portfolio holder for economic investment and tourism at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said:
“The Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards (REYTAs) celebrates the very best businesses and individuals working within the area’s tourism sector and recognise the valuable contribution they make to the local economy.
“Being shortlisted for a REYTA is an excellent achievement for any entrant and winning the award can help raise your profile locally and nationally. We would encourage all businesses and individuals working in the region’s tourism industry to consider submitting an application.”
Meanwhile, Councillor Stephen Brady, Leader of Hull City Council, said: “The REYTA awards are a fantastic opportunity for the region to celebrate the vibrant and booming tourism offer across the region.
“With just under two months until our year as UK City of Culture begins, we hope to see the value of tourism to the city continue to rise.
“Our ambition to become a world-class visitor destination is firmly in our sights and we have worked tirelessly to ensure that we are ready to open our doors to the world.”
The full list of categories for the 2017 REYTAs are as follows:
1. REMARKABLE Hotel: open to hotels large and small that provide the best overnight stay and the highest standards of accommodation.
2. REMARKABLE Bed and Breakfast: open to all types of accommodation, including B&Bs, farmhouses, inns and restaurants with rooms.
3. REMARKABLE Self Catering Provider/Property: Open to all self-catering accommodation including serviced apartments, cottages, flats, lodges, tepees and yurts.
4. REMARKABLE Taste of East Yorkshire: Open to producers, processors or growers of local food and drink products as well as vineyards, breweries, farms, farm shops, delis and co-operatives. Entries must demonstrate creativity in their use or production of local produce, consistent quality in the delivery and presentation of food perhaps with a visitor experience and creative marketing.
5. REMARKABLE Cuppa/Afternoon Tea: Open to any tourism business that offers afternoon tea, for example a tearoom, café, hotel or visitor attraction, that serves the best afternoon tea and refreshments in Hull & East Yorkshire.
6. REMARKABLE Restaurant: The restaurant, hotel accommodation or pub that serves the best food in Hull & East Yorkshire.
7. REMARKABLE Pub: For the best pub in Hull and East Yorkshire serving the highest quality of bar food and beverages in the finest surroundings in the region.
8. REMARKABLE Conference and Meeting Venue: This award acknowledges the huge importance of the meetings, conferences and exhibitions sector in Hull & East Yorkshire. Open to any organisation in the business tourism sector including exhibition centres, convention hotels, country house properties, conference, banqueting and training venues.
9. REMARKABLE Holiday Park/Holiday Village: This award recognises Caravan & Holiday Parks, Touring Parks & Camping and Touring Parks that have boosted business by making the most of their distinctive appeal.
10. REMARKABLE Newcomer: This award is for a newcomer to the Hull & East Yorkshire tourism industry that have set up between 1st January 2015 and 30th June 2016. Individuals and tourism businesses may apply, including attractions/experiences, food & drink providers and accommodation establishments.
11. REMARKABLE Visitor Attraction/Experience: What is the best tourism attraction or experience in Hull & East Yorkshire that puts a smile on visitors’ faces and creates special memories? This award will be given to the tourism attraction/ provider that delivers an outstanding and unique experience.
12. REMARKABLE Tourism Event: What is the best event, experience or festival in Hull and East Yorkshire that takes place over a day, weekend, week, month or season? The event can be free or paid for; a one-off happening or a rolling series of annual events. The experience can be related to a specific activity or a special package.
13. REMARKABLE Family Friendly Experience: Open to any food service, accommodation provider or visitor attraction that specialises in serving the family market. Whatever the style of business, it must be truly welcoming to families and provide excellent hospitality and service to all.
14: REMARKABLE Hull & East Yorkshire Passion for Arts and Culture: Open to individuals, organisations or groups who have made a major contribution to arts and culture in our region within the last five years. You may nominate a person or an organisation/group or alternatively you may wish to enter yourself for this award.
15: REMARKABLE East Yorkshire Passion: This person is selected by the Visit Hull & East Yorkshire Advisory Board Group who in their judgement has made a significant contribution to tourism in our region, as identified by the local tourism industry.
