The word culture is on everyone’s lips in this Hull2017 City of Culture year; now culture will be served up on a plate, too, in one of the region’s social highlights of the year, the Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards, the REYTAs.
A number of local businesses from Bevelrey in running for an award including Lempicka Cafe & Bistro, who are based at Wednesday Market and Butt Farm Caravan & Campsite, who are eyeing up the Best Newcomer Award.
Tickets have been selling fast for the glittering awards night taking place at The Spa, Bridlington, on Thursday March 30, so much so that more than 500 guests are expected to set a new record attendance in this, the eighth year of the awards.
The “menu” features Culture in every sense of the word, with Martin Green, chief executive and director of Hull2017, one of the keynote speakers. And a sumptuous four-course meal will feature the four chapters of the City of Culture Year – a “Made in Hull” starter, a “Roots and Routes” main course and
“Freedom” dessert, completed with Fairtrade coffee and Belgian chocolates, signifying the year’s final chapter “Tell the World”.
“We’re aiming to make this our best night ever at what we think is the best venue on the East Coast,” said Andy Gray, tourism manager for REYTAs organisers, Visit Hull and East Yorkshire.
The evening will begin with a drinks reception for guests and VIPs; then it’s on to the main business of the evening, with BBC Radio Humberside presenter Phil White hosting the awards themselves – the winners in 15 categories will be revealed with a 16th award, the Remarkable East Yorkshire Passion Award, being given on the night to the person considered to have made a significant contribution to tourism in the region.
A number of surprises have been lined up to make this, the eighth year of the REYTAs, the most memorable yet. The evening also marks ten years of tourism body VHEY, which has promoted Hull and East Yorkshire as a tourism destination across the world.
In that time the value of tourism to the local economy has risen by £182 million to £797 million per year and is now responsible for 17,422 jobs and supporting an estimated 1,800 private and public sector businesses.
“We have some top rate entertainment lined up for our guests in true REYTAs style, so I would urge everyone to book their tickets as soon as possible because it looks like we’re heading for a sell-out,” said Mr Gray. The evening will conclude with a disco.
Tickets for the awards evening are still available, individually or tables of ten, at £50 + VAT per head.
They can be ordered via the VHEY website (www.visithullandeastyorkshire.com). Buses to the Spa are also being provided from various locations.
