The 2006 awards evening was held at Sprowston Manor Hotel on Thursday November 2.

More than 300 people crowded into the Norfolk Suite at Sprowston Manor Hotel to celebrate the cream of Norfolk’s tourism industry. Hotels, bed and breakfasts, caravan parks and visitor attractions were among those contesting the Tourism in Norfolk Awards, organised by Archant Norfolk in conjunction with Norfolk Tourism, VisitNorwich and the Norfolk Tourist Attractions Association.

View a slide show of pictures from the event

Winners

BERRY SAVORY BEST NORFOLK ATTRACTION AWARD
in association with Norfolk Tourist Attractions Association

Jonathan Briggs, former director, Dinosaur Park: Winning this award means a huge amount; for it is public recognition for all the tremendous hard work and commitment of all the team at the Dinosaur Park. It also means that we hand the baton over to the new owners of the park, The Goymour Group, on a high.

Judges' comments: Constant innovation is evident at this successful outdoor attraction with new elements constantly being added. Research trips to other countries help with new ideas and these are tested on a Junior Board before being developed.

BEST BED & BREAKFAST AND GUESTHOUSE AWARD
in association with Larking Gowen

Laurel Stonell, proprietor, Holly House Guest House: Winning this award shows that we have gone a long way towards achieving our ambition to provide the best guest accommodation with first-class facilities that we can offer. A lot of careful thought, effort, commitment and, of course, investment has gone into this venture but putting together the satisfaction we get from the response of our guests and now the recognition from the industry, things do not get much better than this.

Judges' comments: This well-presented accommodation also offers spacious gardens and a fabulous choice of food available at all times. Judges were impressed with the warmth of the welcome and fastidious attention to detail.

BEST HOTEL
in association with Keys Estate Agents and Auctioneers

Eric Snaith, executive chef, Titchwell Manor Hotel: Winning this award is very important to all the family and staff who have worked so hard over the past 18 years to make Titchwell Manor the success it is today. From a business point of view, this prestigious award will put Titchwell on the map in East Anglia which will be an invaluable marketing asset.

Judges' comments: This family-run hotel has completely reinvented
itself as a sophisticated but welcoming retreat providing stylish accommodation and excellent food. Judges were impressed by the refurbishment of existing rooms and accommodation

BEST CARAVAN OR HOLIDAY PARK AWARD
in association with Greene King IPA

John Lindsay, partner, Clippesby Hall: Winning this award is recognition that our efforts in promoting Clippesby and The Broads as a land based tourist destination are indeed working.

Judges' comments: The woodland setting of this park provided a lovely surprise around every corner with high quality landscaping and an abundance of well placed trees. Shower facilities were excellent and judges were impressed by a guide to 10 local day experiences.

BEST SELF-CATERING ESTABLISHMENT
in association with Norfolk Country Cottages

Jill Nicholls, owner, Lower Wood Farm Country Cottages: Braeburn Barn, our largest letting unit at Lower Wood Farm, was completed in Easter 2004 and has enjoyed full occupancy all year round since. Your award further enhances our advertising of this five-star barn conversion, giving visitors a unique holiday experience in Norfolk.

Judges' comments: This beautifully presented cottage is stylishly furnished and wonderfully maintained. The owner sets a very high standard and is without doubt a human dynamo.

BEST VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE AWARD
in association with Chapelfield

Karen Cooke, tourist information manager, King’s Lynn TIC: Winning this award proves that the contribution our organisation makes to our thriving local tourism industry and local economy has been recognised. We want our visitors to feel special when they visit King’s Lynn and West Norfolk and to be judged best in our category is a real achievement that rewards the whole tourism team.

Judges' comments: Set in a lovely building in a beautiful waterside location this centre does not disappoint. Information displays are clear, logical and comprehensive and backed up by superb customer service.

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD
in association with Kelling Heath Holiday Park

Jason Borthwick, diversification partner, Deepdale Farms: Winning this award is recognition of the hard work by the whole team towards making Deepdale Backpackers and Camping an eco-friendly tourism facility. This also shows that you can have excellent quality facilities which are sustainable, without compromising on the quality of the customer experience. We really hope that the competition in this group grows enormously over the next few years and that we continue to develop new ways to be greener.

Judges' comments: The environment is at the heart of every decision made here. The research and planning that had gone into the hostel development was a model for any business looking to become more sustainable and enhance the natural environment.

INNOVATION AWARD
in association with NatWest

Richard Hughes, proprietor, The Lavender House: Winning this award demonstrates an acknowledgement for “doing different”. We believe businesses need to be adaptable and fun – for customers and staff! A great pat on the back for everyone involved.

Judges' comment: Richard Hughes has used innovative ideas to constantly evolve the Lavender House ‘experience’ and deliver that to a broader audience ranging from supermarket groups to school children.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING AWARD
in association with OTW Imaging

Jemma Pyle marketing assistant, The Oaklands Hotel: Winning this award proves that our efforts and commitment to education and training have continued to be recognised, reinforcing our motivation and dedication for ongoing work and the development of new project ideas to provide education about the industry to the local community and to develop our staff.

Judges' comments: The Oaklands showed a great depth of work with their link school and has made a generous contribution towards their resources. The effort put into the event by hotel staff encourages pupils to the hotel and into the industry.

BEST WATER-BASED TOURISM EXPERIENCE AWARD
in association with Lings Honda - marine department

Robert King, managing director, King Line Cottages: Winning this award recognises our catering for days out or weekly holidays especially for the disabled, the elderly and their families. Our visitors have the opportunity to spend a relaxing riverside holiday, or just a day out in our specially-built wheelchair-accessible self-drive electric dayboat. It even has a unique hand control enabling the boat to be steered from a wheelchair. This gives guests the experience to fish, or watch the variety of wildlife, in pleasant surroundings.

Judges' comments: This business has been at the vanguard of caring for the disabled holiday maker for nearly 20 years. Wide doors, ramps and disabled access all feature and guests can take to the water aboard a pair of purpose-built electric day boats without leaving the wheelchair.

CUSTOMER CARE AWARD
in association with Potters Leisure Resort

Emma Tagg, managing director, The Hoste Arms: Winning this award reflects the dedication and commitment myself and my team put into training and maintaining a high standard of customer care within the hotel.

Judges' comments: The quality of customer care is borne out by the number of regular repeat visitors. The business has grown substantially over the last few years but has retained its focus on making sure customers have a very special visit.

BUSINESS TOURISM AWARD
in association with Hansells Solicitors

Jacqui Cullen, new business manager, Delia’s Canary Catering, Norwich City Football Club: Winning this award means recognition for all the people that work behind the scenes at Carrow Road making sure that the same high standards are constantly met.

Judges' comments: The business has made great investment in the product and the brand and the end result demonstrates a high quality, professional, attractive environment which provides the business user a complete flexible package.

BEST MARKETING INITIATIVE AWARD
in association with Leisure Target

Peter Williamson director, Merrivale Model Village: Winning this award just goes to show that with the right team of people you can take an attraction that was all but forgotten and in just three short seasons have put it firmly back in the forefront of the Norfolk tourism scene.

Judges' comments: A well thought out marketing strategy on a limited budget yielded massive increases in visitor numbers at this attraction. Print and web channels were well used and the bold use of the attraction frontage to create the biggest advertisement on Yarmouth seafront was impressive.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO TOURISM AWARD
in association with Signs Express

Robert Simmons: Winning this award means the positive acknowledgement from my peers of the ‘behind the scenes’ contribution made by many of us in this industry. All of us involved in the ‘partnership’ business continually work to develop the quality and sustainability of tourism in Norfolk.

Judges' comments: Robert Simmons has provided the platform and has been the rock from which individuals and organisations in the Norfolk Tourism industry have had the confidence to make decisions from. Norfolk’s tourism organisations and businesses owe Robert a debt of gratitude.

Full list of finalists