VisitEngland has today, 15 April, announced the finalists for the tourism industry’s national Awards for Excellence.   The VisitEngland Awards for Excellence have been championing the best in England’s tourism industry for more than 35 years and celebrate quality, innovation, best practice and exceptional customer service.  Finalists represent the very highest standards across accessibility, accommodation, attractions, experiences, food and drink, and business events, showcasing the strength and diversity of English tourism.   VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said:   “These awards honour the very best businesses and individuals in tourism, who are the driving force in an industry that delivers growth to local economies across England. I thank them for their dedicated service, congratulate them on achieving finalist status and wish them every success.”   The 53 finalists, selected following a rigorous judging process by handpicked tourism industry experts, will now go on to compete in 16 core categories at this year’s awards. There will also be three special awards, including the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award’, the ‘Travel Content Award’ and the ‘Tourism Superstar Award’.   This VisitEngland Awards for Excellence worked in collaboration with 21 local competitions across England with 369 winners automatically put forward for national recognition.   VisitEngland is inviting everyone to be a part of the celebration at Aerospace Bristol, under the wings of Concorde Alpha Foxtrot, the supersonic passenger jet, on 3 June where Gold, Silver and Bronze winners will be announced at the black tie event.  Tickets are on sale with an early bird rate for the first 100 people to book their seat at the table. To buy tickets go to: https://buytickets.at/visitenglandawardsforexcellence/2089275(opens in a new tab)   The Family Holiday Charity is the chosen charity for this year’s event.   Tourism is one of England’s largest, most valuable industries - supporting hundreds of thousands of small-to-medium sized businesses, more than two million jobs and worth £127 billion to the economy in England.   VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026 finalists: Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award: Hoe Grange Holidays, Peak District, Derbyshire Nottingham Playhouse, Nottingham Attwell Farm Park, Worcestershire B&B and Guest House of the Year: Holly Lodge Boutique Bed & Breakfast, Norfolk One Drake Road and Apartments, Devon MonkBridge House, York Business Events Venue of the Year: The Catalyst, Newcastle Nottingham Venues, Nottingham Warwick Conferences, Warwick Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year: Clawford Lakes Resort and Spa, Devon Kaya at Blackhill Farm Ltd, Herefordshire Bredon View Glamping Retreats, Worcestershire Experience of the Year: Make Your Own Distilled Spirit, Shed One Distillery, Cumbria Blacksmithing Experience Days, Oldfield Forge Ltd, Herefordshire The Wizard Walk of York, York International Tourism Award: The Beatles Story, Liverpool Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves, Devon Castle Howard, York Large Hotel of the Year: The Grand Brighton, Brighton Watergate Bay Hotel, Cornwall Bovey Castle, Devon Large Visitor Attraction of the Year: Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire Jimmy's Farm & Wildlife Park, Suffolk Attwell Farm Park, Worcestershire New Tourism Business of the Year: Flora and Fauna Exmoor, Exmoor The Story of Emily, Cornwall One Acre Wood, Herefordshire Pub of the Year: The Tollemache Arms, Northamptonshire The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman's Rest, Northumberland The Tickled Trout, Barlow, Derbyshire Regenerative Tourism Award: Eight at Gazegill by Doug Crampton, Lancashire Gladwins Farm - Self Catering Holiday Cottages, Suffolk Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre, Birmingham Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year: Cedar Hollow @ The Oaks, Oxfordshire Bosinver Farm Cottages, Cornwall Rowley Farm Holidays, Worcestershire Small Hotel of the Year: Farlam Hall Hotel & Restaurant, Cumbria The Tempus, Northumberland Peak Edge Hotel, Derbyshire Small Visitor Attraction of the Year: Ad Gefrin Anglo-Saxon Museum & Whisky Distillery, Northumberland National Justice Museum, Nottinghamshire Morgan Experience, Worcestershire Taste of England Award: Eight at Gazegill by Doug Crampton, Lancashire Blackfriars, Newcastle Carriages Restaurant, Herefordshire Unsung Hero Award: Jayne Chapman - Tatton Park, Cheshire Andy Black - Horses and Ponies Protection Association, Lancashire Viv Smith - National Stone Centre, Derbyshire Travel Content Award: Rhiannon Batten, The Guardian – 'From farms to fork: a food-lover’s cycle tour of Herefordshire' Emily-Ann Elliott, The i Paper – : 'North Yorkshire’s spa holidays are still the best – and cost less than £225'

Chris Leadbeater, The Telegraph - 'This charming Herefordshire town is the real star of Hamnet'

  VisitEngland has today, 9 April, announced that this year’s VisitEngland Awards for Excellence will be held at Aerospace Bristol, under the wings of Concorde Alpha Foxtrot, the supersonic passenger jet, on 3 June.   Finalists from 21 local competitions will win Gold, Silver or Bronze at VisitEngland’s 36th annual awards across 16 core categories. Award categories range from ‘Small Hotel of the Year’ to ‘Large Visitor Attraction of the Year’ and from the ‘Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award’ to ‘New Tourism Business of the Year’.   VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said:   “We are delighted that this year’s ceremony is in Bristol, home of the iconic Concorde Alpha Foxtrot jet, and a destination globally renowned for its innovation and artistic creativity.   “The VisitEngland Awards for Excellence recognise the very best of tourism in England, showcasing our industry's outstanding welcome, dedicated staff and the world class experiences on offer. I am especially pleased that we have had a record number of entries to our local competitions this year.”     Kathryn Davies CEO of Visit West said:   “We are thrilled that the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence are coming to the Bristol region for the first time.  We can’t wait to welcome the best of England’s tourism offer for a night of celebration under the wings of Concorde highlighting excellence and innovation in the industry.”   There were 1847 applications from the 21 aligned local competitions with the winners then automatically entered into the national awards.   In the lead up to the awards, VisitEngland will announce the three finalists for each category who will go on to gain Gold, Silver or Bronze at the event in June.   In addition to the 16 core categories, special awards are also being presented including the ‘Travel Content Award’ and the ‘Tourism Superstar Award’.   VisitEngland is inviting everyone to be a part of the celebration with tickets on sale for the event and an early bird rate for the first 100 people to book their seat at the table. To buy tickets go to: https://buytickets.at/visitenglandawardsforexcellence/2089275   The Family Holiday Charity is the chosen charity for this year’s event.   Tourism is one of England’s largest, most valuable industries - supporting hundreds of thousands of small-to-medium sized businesses, more than two million jobs and worth £127 billion to the economy in England.   Core Categories:   

• Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
• B&B and Guest House of the Year
• Business Events Venue of the Year
• Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
• Experience of the Year
• Small Hotel of the Year
• Large Hotel of the Year
• International Tourism Award
• New Tourism Business of the Year
• Pub of the Year
• Regenerative Tourism Award
• Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year
• Taste of England Award
• Unsung Hero Award
• Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
• Large Visitor Attraction of the Year

  The 21 local and regional competitions aligned with the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026 are:   

• Beautiful South Awards for Excellence
• Bristol, Bath, Somerset & Gloucestershire Tourism Awards
• Cornwall Tourism Awards
• Devon Tourism Awards
• Dorset Tourism Awards
• Cumbria Tourism Awards
• Discover Northamptonshire Tourism Awards
• Marketing Lancashire Tourism Awards
• Leicestershire Promotions Tourism Awards
• Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards
• Marketing Cheshire Tourism Awards
• Norfolk and Suffolk Tourism Awards
• North East England Tourism Awards
• Peak District & Derbyshire Tourism Awards
• Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards (REYTAs)
• Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Tourism Awards
• Visit Herefordshire Tourism Awards
• Visit Nottinghamshire Awards
• Visit Worcestershire Tourism Awards
• Visit York Tourism Awards
• West Midlands Tourism Awards

This Easter will bring a £4.8 billion boost to the economy as millions plan UK staycations. According to VisitEngland’s Easter 'Trip-Tracker' survey, around 12.5 million Brits are planning an overnight holiday trip in the UK for the Easter weekend. That compares to an estimated 7.4 million jetting abroad this Easter. The figures are up on last year’s Easter Trip-Tracker when 10.6 million Brits had planned an overnight stay in the UK for Easter. It says a further 5.1 million people remain undecided about whether to take an overnight holiday trip during the Easter weekend, due to affordability or weather concerns. Tourism Minister Stephanie Peacock said: “It is wonderful that so many people are planning an Easter staycation. Supporting domestic tourism helps local areas thrive, fuelling small businesses and strengthening community economies.” VisitEngland Chief Executive Patricia Yates added: “Tourism businesses and destinations will be looking to the critical Easter weekend for much needed cash flow so it’s encouraging to see so many of us are planning a holiday at home.” The majority of those planning an overnight domestic trip will take a short break of one-to-three nights. Tourism is worth £147 billion annually to the UK economy, equating to 5% of GDP.

  VisitEngland is celebrating the importance of the tourism industry with this year’s English Tourism Week from 13-22 March.   The annual celebration puts tourism centre stage with the public, destinations, businesses and visitor attractions encouraged to get involved.   English Tourism Week sees the industry come together to highlight tourism’s importance to local communities and economies and promote the innovation, quality and range of products and services on offer to boost domestic breaks. This year’s campaign, co-ordinated by VisitEngland, is using the strapline ‘Local Stories National Growth’ to celebrate the people, places, businesses, attractions, experiences and destinations at the heart of England’s tourism sector.   Minister for Tourism Stephanie Peacock MP said:   “English Tourism Week is a celebration of our vibrant and diverse tourism sector. It plays a vital role in our national economic landscape - supporting jobs, driving investment, and sustaining communities across the country.   “This Government has an ambition to attract 50 million visitors a year by 2030, and English Tourism Week is the perfect opportunity to showcase our exceptional domestic offer. From independent guesthouses in Cornwall and vineyard tours in Kent to heritage railways in North Yorkshire and the seaside resorts of the North West, these landmarks give our destinations their distinctive character. Without them, we would lose the very heart and soul of our tourism offer.   “We want to recognise the small businesses that form the backbone of the visitor economy. By encouraging people to discover the incredible places on offer closer to home, we can support local livelihoods and ensure our tourism sector continues to thrive for generations to come."   VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said:   “English Tourism Week is all about shining the spotlight on our outstanding tourism offer and with spring on the horizon, now is the perfect time to get out exploring our stunning countryside, vibrant cities and coastal gems.   “Tourism is a powerhouse industry that delivers billions for the economy, supports millions of jobs and boosts communities locally. We also know that the picture remains mixed for many destinations across England, highlighting the challenges for tourism businesses.   “I encourage everyone to get out and discover their local stories, celebrate the hard-working people who go above and beyond for visitors and grow our world-class tourism industry.”   Destinations, tourism businesses and visitor attractions can download the English Tourism Week toolkit including logos, slogans, images and poster templates to join in.   In the lead-up to and throughout English Tourism Week, VisitEngland is also encouraging people to show support for English tourism on social media by using #EnglishTourismWeek26.   VisitEngland’s Tourism Superstar 2026 competition will also conclude at the end of the week, with voting open until midnight on the 22 March and the winner announced after English Tourism Week.   VisitEngland, Local Visitor Economy Partnerships and destinations are also asking MPs, local authorities, the UK Government and other stakeholders to get involved, for example by visiting local tourism businesses and attractions during the week.   English Tourism Week comes as the Government is engaging stakeholders across the tourism sector as it develops its upcoming Visitor Economy Strategy.   Tourism is one of England’s largest, most valuable industries, supporting hundreds of thousands of small-to-medium sized businesses, more than two million jobs and worth £127 billion to the English economy.

  Tourism’s importance to the British economy is highlighted in major new research from national tourism agency VisitBritain/VisitEngland, demonstrating the industry’s significant economic contribution to local communities nationwide and its potential for growth.   The report 'Economic Value of Tourism in the United Kingdom' shows tourism is worth £147 billion annually to the UK, about 5 percent of the national economy, when including both direct and supply chain impacts. Tourism is larger than the insurance and pensions sectors put together and employs more people than those and financial services combined. The study found that tourism generated £52 billion in tax revenues for the UK Government in 2024, more than half the wages bill of the NHS in England*.   Tourism demonstrates its importance as a major employer, supporting nearly one in every 15 jobs across the UK, about 2.4 million jobs. The industry’s value extends beyond major cities accounting for at least 5% of jobs in every region and nation of Britain. It also creates first jobs and opportunities for young people and upskills younger workers at the beginning of their careers. The industry is predicted to create an additional 175,000 jobs in the UK by 2030.   The value of total tourism activity in the UK is expected to reach £161 billion by 2030 in 2024 prices**, growth of 9.3% when adjusted for inflation and ahead of the UK economy overall at 8.8%. Inbound tourism is forecast to drive much of this, with growth in value of 32%, £9.4 billion, between 2024 and 2030.   Tourism Minister, Stephanie Peacock, said: “From rich culture and historical landmarks to beautiful landscapes and coastal communities, the UK is one of the best and most visited holiday destinations in the world. Without the incredible workforce behind the tourism industry, it wouldn’t be the powerhouse that it is today.   “The economic contribution of the tourism sector is clear, and the government is ambitious about ensuring it can continue to grow. That is why we are committed to publishing a joint growth plan with the sector in the spring.”   VisitBritain/VisitEngland CEO Patricia Yates said: “This research underscores tourism's importance as one of the UK's most valuable industries, driving economic growth for every nation and region and supporting our high streets, hospitality businesses, cultural institutions and our communities. The billions in tax revenues generated by tourism also shows how spending by domestic and international visitors contributes to services that benefit everyone.   “There are however challenges. The decline of domestic holidays has hit coastal destinations particularly hard as consumers wrestle with cost-of-living pressures and businesses with the higher cost of doing business. Longer-term international forecasts meanwhile show the UK is starting to lose its competitive position globally and inbound visits remain London-centric.   “As a critical driver of future growth for the UK, our priority is to work with industry and Government to realise tourism’s huge potential to bring social and economic benefits for every nation and region, creating jobs, supporting businesses and delivering prosperity for local communities.”   The report also shows the vital role of domestic tourism in supporting rural and coastal destinations and the importance of getting more Brits to holiday at home. Eighty-four per cent of domestic overnight tourism spending is in destinations outside of London. Converting just 10% of what Brits spend on travelling abroad to holidaying at home could deliver an £8 billion boost annually to the economy. VisitEngland is set to launch a pilot domestic marketing campaign to drive breaks to the North West’s coastal destinations in the build up to summer this year.   The report also examines the UK’s future inbound visitor source markets and trends. It shows the continued importance of the USA, forecast to be worth £7.6 billion to the UK economy in 2026 and accounting for more than £1 in every £5 of inbound visitor spending. Tourism to the UK from emerging markets including China and India is predicted to grow rapidly, by 12% annually combined by 2030. Looking to the Gulf, the UK already captures almost a third, 30%, of all trips to Western Europe from the high spending Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates markets.   Findings from the Economic Value of Tourism in the United Kingdom report are being shared with the UK Government to inform policymaking and to track tourism’s development over time, in line with VisitBritain/VisitEngland’s statutory role to provide expert advice and insights to industry and government.

  VisitBritain is gearing up to host its ‘Destination Britain China and Northeast Asia’ (DBCNEA) trade mission to China to grow inbound tourism and drive economic growth with British tourism suppliers set to show top buyers why Britain is the destination to visit now.   Taking place from 26 to 28 November in Chengdu, China, the three-day trade event sees dozens of tourism industry suppliers and destinations, many of whom are attending the event for the first time, meet to do business with about 90 top buyers from China, Hong Kong (SAR), Japan and South Korea, with trade media also in attendance.   More than 2,000 pre-scheduled one-to-one business meetings are taking place, alongside networking events and seminars from destinations, showcasing the latest products and experiences on offer. International buyers will have the opportunity to learn about Britain’s premier export-ready tourism products and its competitive visitor offer, broadening travel itineraries to drive visitor spending across the nations and regions.   VisitBritain CEO Patricia Yates, who is leading the trade mission to China, said:   “This major trade mission brings our very important and highly valuable China and Northeast Asia markets together with British suppliers to do business, shining the spotlight on the fantastic products and experiences on offer and making sure those are sold in international markets.  “While we have seen a relatively slower recovery and build back from China and Northeast Asia compared to the overall long-haul average, the longer-term trajectory is encouraging, underscoring the importance of this event with our trade missions a proven catalyst for business. “Building product and destination knowledge also broadens travel itineraries so visitors explore more through our regional gateways, spreading the benefits of visitor spending across our nations and regions.    “The size of our delegation shows the enthusiasm from tourism suppliers to do business across these important markets and to hear first-hand from buyers on the motivations driving outbound travel as well as trends in digital tools and booking platforms. We are looking forward to showcasing our warm welcome as well as all the great reasons to book a trip right now.”   Tourism’s importance in building cultural connections and positioning the UK as a welcoming, vibrant, culturally diverse destination that people want to visit, is also in the spotlight.   Suppliers joining the trade mission include hotels, visitor attractions, transport providers, retailers, tour and sightseeing operators spanning the length-and-breadth of the nations and regions.   Destinations including Visit Lake District, Cumbria, Marketing Manchester, Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, Visit Shakespeare’s England, Visit York and Visit West are attending, highlighting their respective products and experiences. VisitScotland and Tourism Ireland are also joining the trade mission.   VisitBritain’s teams in market will also be running seminars and networking events to support tourism suppliers to engage and do business with trade from across China, Hong Kong (SAR), Japan and South Korea, providing insights on market and consumer trends.   The trade mission comes as VisitBritain continues to roll out its global ‘Starring GREAT Britain’ screen tourism campaign. The campaign is harnessing the powerful draw of film and tv locations to inspire more visitors to choose Britain, discover more and stay longer, driving visitor spending into local destinations. VisitBritain’s research shows that more than 9-out-of-10 potential visitors to the UK are keen to visit locations used in filming and seen-on-screen during their trip. Spending by visitors from China, Japan and South Korea, when combined, is forecast to be worth £1.4 billion this year to the UK economy, with an average visitor spend from these markets of £1,528 per visit, more than double the all-market average spend of £818. Looking ahead to 2026, 667,000 visits are forecast from China to the UK, up 28% on the estimate for this year, worth £1.3 billion to our economy. Visits from Japan are forecast to reach almost 300,000 in 2026, up 23% on this year’s estimate while 219,000 visits from South Korea are expected, up 21%. As well as its DBCNEA trade mission, VisitBritain continues to work closely with industry and partners in market to promote the outstanding tourism offer and experiences that visitors can only have in Britain.

VisitEngland named the winners of its Visitor Attraction Accolades for 2024-2025.    Awards went to 78 English attractions covering various elements: ‘Welcome’; ‘Best Told Story’; ‘Hidden Gem’; ‘Quality Food and Drink’ and ‘Gold’. The accolades were awarded based on scores that attractions obtained following their annual VisitEngland Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme assessment. VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said: “These accolades put England’s outstanding attractions in the spotlight.  They acknowledge the people who give the warmest welcomes, provide the most mouth-watering food and tell the stories that delight visitors.” “The excellence on show underlines the quality within the industry, ensuring fantastic visitor experiences.” VisitEngland’s Visitor Attraction Accolades, now in their 11th year, are awarded to participants of the VisitEngland Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme across a range of tourism attractions, These span historic houses, gardens, country parks and farm attractions to galleries, museums, churches and cathedrals. Participating attractions are supported by experienced independent assessors who deliver advice and guidance on improving and promoting the quality, accessibility and sustainability of their facility. Winning attractions can display the Accolade logo at their attraction, online and in their marketing materials. The VisitEngland Visitor Attraction Accolades 2024-2025 were presented to winners at a lunch at the British Motor Museum in Warwickshire last week. The full list of VisitEngland Visitor Attraction Accolades for 2024-2025: VisitEngland Quality Assessment Services | VisitBritain.org  

  International visitors spent an additional £562 million across Britain as a result of activity by national tourism agency VisitBritain/VisitEngland, latest figures show.   Results also show that 60% of this estimated additional spend, £336 million, was in destinations outside of London.   The agency reported the figures, which cover its activity for the 2024-2025 financial year, as it was set to bring industry leaders together at its annual review event ‘Behind the scenes: driving regional growth through the visitor economy’ on 21 October, outlining its priorities and activities to grow the visitor economy and support the UK Government’s ambition of 50 million international visitors annually by 2030.   Separately the agency also shared results for the initial phase of its ongoing ‘Starring GREAT Britain’ global campaign, which is using the powerful draw of screen tourism to inspire visits to the nations and regions today. The campaign is estimated to have generated £217 million* in additional spending by international visitors from its launch in January to June this year. It means that for every pound invested in the campaign, visitors spent an additional £20 in Britain. Launched in collaboration with international film and TV studios the campaign also promotes Britain’s creative industries.   Speaking ahead of the review, British Tourist Authority Chairman Nick de Bois said:   “These figures represent not just numbers on a balance sheet, but the millions of additional pounds generated by VisitBritain’s activity that flows into our high streets, our hospitality businesses, our cultural institutions and our communities across every nation and region of Britain.   “Tourism is one of our greatest industries that creates opportunities for all, from the small and medium sized businesses that make up the backbone of our world-class industry to our destinations and attractions that draw visitors from across the globe.   “By working in partnership with industry and the UK Government we can realise tourism’s huge potential to create immediate and sustained economic growth, delivering jobs and prosperity to communities across Britain.”   VisitBritain’s annual review comes as its just published inbound tourism forecast estimates £34.6 billion would be spent by international visitors in the UK this year, up 6% on 2024. Looking at visits to the UK, 44.3 million visits are forecast, up 4% on last year.   Mr de Bois said that while it was good to see the overall estimated growth this year on 2024, longer term forecasts are showing that the UK is starting to lose its competitive position internationally as a visitor destination, both globally and against some major western European rivals.   “Tourism to the UK is already generating growth in value of 6% year-on-year. VisitBritain’s analysis shows that if tourism to the UK was growing at the same pace as current forecasts for Western Europe, the industry would be worth an additional £4.4 billion per year by 2030 to the economy. But tourism is extremely competitive, and visitors have a lot of choice. Like every export industry we need to be telling our story about why people should come to Britain not one day, but today.   “Tourism also frames how people around the world see Britain, building positive perceptions. Those who have visited are 16% more likely to invest in the UK’s businesses, products and services,” he said.   To convert the interest to visit Britain into bookings, VisitBritain had been with working with partners across its major inbound markets including Australia, France, Germany and the United States (US), generating £12 million of additional cash and marketing-in-kind activity in the last financial year.   Its work with global travel trade had ensured British products were sold internationally, hosting major trade missions for markets showing growth including Australia, India and the US, connecting hundreds of British businesses with international buyers and generating almost £100 million in sales. Of product sold, 64% of itineraries and tours developed had featured destinations outside of London.   VisitBritain’s support had also seen the business events industry win, and scale, international conferences and exhibitions. Looking longer term its business events growth programme had achieved, from 2018 to 2024, £60.6 million in direct economic return to the UK economy with 91 business events supported across 18 cities throughout England, Scotland and Wales.   Domestically the priority for VisitEngland had been supporting the Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) programme, simplifying a regional structure for English tourism. A cohort of LVEPs have been created focused on robust destination management, regenerative visitor growth, integrated planning to benefit communities and economies and working with Combined Authorities on local growth plans. Destination Development Partnerships (DDPs) were also part of the restructuring. They are made up of a number of LVEPs, setting regional priorities and receiving government funding. Two DDP pilots have been underway in the North-East of England and the West Midlands to demonstrate the power of this approach with tourism considered strategically in local planning, transport development and investment decisions.   “As decision making is increasingly devolved, it has been fantastic to also see LVEPs engaging with Mayoral authorities, ensuring tourism is recognised as a sector that delivers on regional economic growth and promotes pride-in-place.   “However, despite the success of the DDP pilots and the hard work of LVEPs to gain accreditation, I am disappointed that there is still no long-term funding commitment from government. Afterall the structures of tourism have responded and it would be timely now for government to do so too, to secure the future of destination management across England,” said Mr de Bois.   Domestic overnight trips in England currently being down 8% year-on-year also demonstrated the ongoing operational challenges and cost of living impacts faced by the industry.   VisitEngland was continuing its targeted support to small businesses with new guidance and tools, from regenerative tourism to accessibility, on its Business Advice Hub. Free trade initiatives including the new ‘Taking England’s Wine to the World’ programme was supporting businesses to reach new customers and grow their revenue.   Tourism is one of Britain’s largest and most valuable industries, its third largest service export and a major part of British trade, supporting hundreds of thousands of small businesses and employing millions of people across the nations and regions.

  VisitEngland has announced that this year’s VisitEngland Awards for Excellence will be held at the Brighton Dome Corn Exchange on 4 June.   The 35^th national awards will see finalists from 21 regional competitions recognised as Gold, Silver and Bronze winners across 16 core categories. Award categories range from the ‘Experience of the Year’ to the ‘Taste of England Award’ and from the ‘Small Visitor Attraction of the Year’ to the ‘New Tourism Business of the Year’.   VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said:   “This wonderful heritage venue with its rich association to arts and culture in one of England’s tourism gems, Brighton, is an ideal destination to celebrate our outstanding industry.   “The VisitEngland Awards for Excellence shine the spotlight on England’s world-class tourism offer and the creativity and innovation thriving within the industry. The awards also honour the people and businesses and the amazing customer service they deliver, creating unforgettable experiences for visitors.”   Chair of East Sussex, Brighton & Hove and West Sussex interim LVEP Board Hedley Swain said:   "We are absolutely delighted that Brighton & Hove has been chosen to host the 2025 VisitEngland Awards for Excellence. This prestigious event is a fantastic opportunity to showcase our vibrant city and all that Sussex has to offer, building on our aspirations in our recently launched Sussex Visitor Economy Strategy for Growth. We look forward to welcoming attendees and hope they take the time to extend their stay, exploring our stunning coastline, rich heritage, and outstanding hospitality."   There were more than 1830 applications from the 21 aligned regional competitions with the winners then automatically entered into the national awards.   In the lead up to the Awards in June, VisitEngland will announce the three finalists for each category.   In addition to the 16 core categories, special awards are also being presented including the ‘Travel Content Award’ and the ‘Tourism Superstar Award’.   Tourism is one of England’s largest, most valuable industries, supporting more than 200,000 businesses, employing 2.6 million people and generating about £71.6 billion in domestic visitor spending.   Core Categories:  

• Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
• B&B and Guest House of the Year
• Business Events Venue of the Year
• Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
• Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award
• Experience of the Year
• Small Hotel of the Year
• Large Hotel of the Year
• International Tourism Award
• New Tourism Business of the Year
• Pub of the Year
• Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year
• Taste of England Award
• Unsung Hero Award
• Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
• Large Visitor Attraction of the Year

  The 21 local and regional competitions aligned with the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2025 are:  

• Beautiful South Tourism Awards
• Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards
• Cornwall Tourism Awards
• Cumbria Tourism Awards
• Devon Tourism Awards
• Dorset Tourism Awards
• Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland Tourism Awards
• Lancashire Tourism Awards
•  Leicestershire Promotions Tourism and Hospitality Awards
• Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards
• Marketing Cheshire Tourism Awards
• North East England Tourism Awards
• Peak District, Derbyshire and Derby Tourism Awards
• Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards (REYTAs)
• South West Tourism Excellence Awards
• Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Tourism Awards
• Suffolk and Norfolk Tourism Awards
• Visit Herefordshire Tourism Awards
• Visit York Tourism Awards
• Visit Worcestershire Tourism Awards
• West Midlands Tourism Awards

National tourism agency VisitBritain has this week officially launched the highly anticipated global screen tourism campaign. The campaign kicked off with a blockbuster-inspired film with Britain the star of the show. The ‘Starring GREAT Britain’ launch film draws on iconic film and TV moments from Mission: Impossible to Bridget Jones; Spider-Man to Succession; House of the Dragon to Harry Potter; Mary Poppins Returns and more. The film takes viewers on a cinematic journey through Britain, showcasing familiar movie locations. The launch film was directed by Academy Award-winning British director Tom Hooper. It is supported by a wider advertising campaign which is underway across the UK’s most valuable inbound visitor markets including Australia, the GCC countries, France, Germany and the US. VisitBritain’s screen tourism research shows that more than 9-out-of-10 potential visitors to the UK would be keen to visit film and TV locations during a trip. Tourism Minister Sir Chris Bryant said: “We want visitors from home and abroad to immerse themselves in the scenery and locations made famous thanks to film and TV.” “Our tourism industry is already worth £74 billion to the economy and this campaign will help drive more growth by encouraging millions of tourists to visit even more parts of the country.’ The first phase of the international ad campaign started from 20 January and runs until the end of March 2025. As well as the launch film, the multi-media advertising campaign uses a mix of channels to showcase destinations across England, Scotland and Wales. The campaign on large digital billboards in locations including Kurfürstendamm in Berlin, to Gare du Nord Station in Paris. The advertising also directs viewers to a screen-tourism hub on VisitBritain’s global consumer website with itineraries themed around film genres from romance to fantasy, action to adventure. A digital map links to film inspired locations, attractions and experiences across the nations and regions.

National tourism agency VisitBritain/VisitEngland has announced its new West Midlands home. During a VisitEngland Advisory Board meeting it unveiled Victoria Square House in Birmingham as its new hub office. Victoria Square House will become VisitBritain/VisitEngland's home from April. It is located in the heart of Birmingham, close to New Street station, Bullring and  Grand Central shopping centre. The organisation will operate its hub out of offices located in the Gambling Commission's premises. VisitBritain/VisitEngland selected the West Midlands for the region's transport links, local talent pool and the successful relocation of other government departments to the area. The move has been supported by the West Midlands Growth Company. Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: "VisitBritain/VisitEngland's move to the West Midlands is a major vote of confidence for West Midlands tourism and comes at a time when visitor numbers here are at a record high.” "The West Midlands tourism scene is a cornerstone of our economic offer, attracting visitors from around the world.” The West Mildlands will become the second pilot for the country's new Destination Development Partnership (DDP) model. Patricia Yates, CEO, VisitBritain/VisitEngland, added: "We are delighted to have secured office space as we begin the transition to our new hub.” "We are excited about the opportunities and perspectives that having our hub in Birmingham will bring.”

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  Being the highest distinction in gastronomy, year after year, the Michelin Star award ceremony brings the culinary arts to life. Great Britain shone once again this year, with a display of 28 stars awarded to a total of 21 restaurants: 15 restaurants received One Star; 5 establishments received Two Stars and one new Michelin Three Star (The Ledbury in London). These new award winners make a total of 154 One Star, 23 Two Star and 9 Three Star restaurants sprinkled throughout England, Scotland and Wales. A category introduced in 2021, Green Star trailblazers have sustainability in their DNA and already adorned with Michelin stars, beckon you to discover your next culinary obsession, knowing each bite supports a sustainable cause. These six fresh Green Star winners have been awarded a Green Star for the first time in 2024:  

1. The Whitebrook, Monmouthshire, Wales

  Located in the charming Wye Valley, with their own Michelin Star and 4 AA Rosettes, the Whitebrook with rooms is a regular in the prestigious Top 50 restaurants in the UK. The menu changes weekly, inspired by ingredients at their best. Another strength can be found in its extensive wine list which features local wines from independent wineries, organic producers including lesser-known grape varieties. Their philosophy focuses on limiting waste, recycling or composting wherever possible and using local produce. By utilising their own vegetable garden and working closely with like-minded local producers, they curate organically grown produce, collected in reusable boxes to reduce packaging waste. All meat is reared locally, 100% of the fish is fresh and sourced from sustainable  British fisheries.  

2. St Barts, London, England

  St Barts made its debut in the Michelin Guide after receiving its first Michelin Star in 2023. A tasting menu that brings together the best of traditional British cuisine has positioned it as a great gastro option in the capital. Each dish is constructed with only the best naturally sourced local British produce. In keeping with the team's philosophy of sustainability a local carpenter Archie Faber creates the restaurant's handcrafted tables from the fallen wood of London Plane trees. Crafted by co-founder Luke and in partnership with ceramicists Adrian Gonzales, the exclusive tableware draws inspiration from the British coastline with an aim to elevate the beauty of each dish, adding an artistic flair to enrich your dining experience.  

3. Interludeat Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens, Horsham, England

  Set in the historic gardens of  the Grade I listed Leonardslee Estate, Interlude has held a Michelin Star since 2019. Interlude draws inspiration from their wonderful surroundings. They prioritise their own orchard products while also including local farmers who champion organic principles and traditional produce. Turn the evening into a relaxing weekend getaway with an overnight stay in one of their boutique rooms, each designed by leading British interior designers.  

4. Forgeat Middleton Lodge, North Yorkshire, England

  Nestled in the Yorkshire countryside, Forge is a contemporary and eco-conscious restaurant dedicated to sustainability. With menus inspired by their environment, dining at Forge is a unique experience. Their menus comprise ingredients grown sustainably in the surrounding areas, in both their own estate's orchards and local parks and woodlands. They also focus on seasonality, utilising the best in season produce. With an aim to be a self-sufficient restaurant, Forge uses traditional cooking and preservation techniques to reduce their impact on the environment.  

5. Exmoor Forest Inn, Minehead, England

  Enjoy the best of the gastro pub concept in the heart of rural England. Part of an estate in Simonsbath, the Exmoor Forest Inn offers tasteful dishes curated from traditional organic farm produced grass-fed beef, incredibly fresh fish, and other locally sourced ingredients. Positioned just off the southwest coast in the heart of nature, Exmoor Forest Inn offers an exquisite dining experience, tasteful decor and a service that aims to make everyone feel welcome at Exmoor.  

6. Annwn, Narbeth, Wales

  Self-proclaimed champions of the Welsh food movement, Annwn offers "Wild food experiences in the heart of Pembrokeshire". The unique menu changes every season to showcase the quality and diversity of Welsh gastronomy while also collaborating with the best sustainable local producers. Experience the best of Welsh food surrounded by rugged cliffs and charming fishing villages.