In what is seen as a major boost for category winners in the Norfolk and Suffolk Tourism Awards 2018, organisers announced the event has partnered with VisitEngland.

Eastern Daily Press: Hoseasons property and portfolio director Mark Warnes. Picture: Courtesy HoseasonsHoseasons property and portfolio director Mark Warnes. Picture: Courtesy Hoseasons (Image: Archant)

The VisitEngland Awards for Excellence celebrate the very best in English tourism and are seen as the country's premier tourism awards.

Organisers said: 'As a finalist for the Norfolk & Suffolk Tourism Awards you can now provisionally apply for the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.

'However, your final placing at the Norfolk & Suffolk Tourism Awards will determine whether your application to the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence is considered. VisitEngland will only consider the overall category winner.'

There are six categories that will automatically be considered. They are: Holiday Park and Village of the Year, Best Small Visitor Attraction, Best Large Visitor Attraction, Sustainable Tourism Award, Best Independent Hotel and Best Self Catering Establishment.

Mark Warnes, property and portfolio director of Hoseasons, the headline sponsor of the Norfolk & Suffolk Awards 2018, welcomed the announcement.

He said: 'This is our seventh year in a row as the lead sponsor and once again we are looking forward to celebrating everything that's great about our fantastic regional tourism industry. Particularly exciting this year is the fact that the awards cover Suffolk as well as Norfolk, a move that guarantees greater competition and the highest of standards, as well as increased opportunities for businesses to be recognised across the region.'

Mr Warnes said Hoseasons had built its business from premises on the Norfolk / Suffolk border.

'We are well used to seeing the best of both counties – something that will inevitably be at the heart of the new-look awards and at the forefront of the judges' minds when picking the winners.

'In a world where customers increasingly look to independent reviews before making choices about where to visit, being nominated for one of these awards is a clear indication of quality.

'That's why I'm urging readers to nominate their favourite tourism-related businesses and why business owners themselves should seriously think about entering.'

To enter or nominate a business visit www.tourismawards.co.uk.