Voting opens for VisitEngland Tourism Superstar 2026
VisitEngland has opened voting for its Tourism Superstar 2026 competition.
Now in its 14th year, it enables the public to vote for the unsung hero of England’s tourism industry.
Applications are down to 10 finalists currently working in tourism in England.
Public voting is open until 22 March.
The finalist with the highest number of votes will be crowned Tourism Superstar.
It showcases tourism industry professionals and volunteers who have consistently provided memorable visitor experiences.
Members of the public can vote at: https://www.visitengland.org/tourismsuperstarvote
“Tourism Superstar seeks out the standout people who ensure destinations and attractions provide unforgettable experiences. The competition also shines a spotlight on the variety and quality on offer at every level,” said VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes.
It covers public facing workers at holiday parks, castles, nature reserves and other tourist attractions and experiences across the country.
The 10 finalists were selected from submissions from Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs), destinations and employers across England.
VisitEngland’s Tourism Superstar 2026 finalists:
Badger Hide Guides Volunteers at Wild Haweswater, the RSPB at Wild Haweswater, Cumbria
Cheryl Cade, Tour Guide, Norwich and Norfolk
Coast & Country Parks Holiday Connoisseurs, Coast & Country Parks – Somerset, Devon & Cornwall
Dan Monk, Director of Astrophotography, Kielder Observatory, Northumberland
Hull & East Yorkshire Volunteers (HEY! Volunteers), supporting culture, tourism and heritage, East Riding of Yorkshire
Jimmy Nicol, volunteer guide at Raby Castle, County Durham
Leicester’s Festivals and Events Team, Leicestershire
Maurizio Bocchi, chef at La Locanda, Lancashire
Mick Hurst, Battle of Evesham Historical Events and Reenactments, Worcestershire
Sheila Hannon, Show of Strength Theatre Walks, Bristol
The winner will be announced at the end of English Tourism Week, which runs from 13-22 March.
The winner will then be presented in person at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence event in the summer.
Tourism is one of the country’s largest industries, supporting hundreds of thousands of small-to-medium sized businesses, more than 2 million jobs and generates about £127 billion to the economy in England.
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