2018 Tourism Awards to celebrate industry champions
Hoseasons property and portfolio director Mark Warnes. Picture: Courtesy Hoseasons - Credit: Archant
Some of the stars of Norfolk and Suffolk's tourism industries will come together this week to celebrate all that's good about the sector.
St Edmundsbury Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds has been named as the venue for the Norfolk and Suffolk 2018 Tourism Awards. Picture: Phil Morley - Credit: Archant
The EADT EDP Norfolk and Suffolk Tourism Awards 2018 take place at St Edmundsbury Cathedral on Thursday and will mark the first year that the two counties have merged.
The awards are sponsored by Lowestoft-based self-catering specialist Hoseasons, which has been a supporter for the past seven years.
The company first became involved in the event when the awards were open to Norfolk-based businesses only, but, having built its business from a base on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, fully backed the move to include both counties.
Property and portfolio director at Hoseasons, Mark Warnes, said: 'We've been sponsoring these awards for the last seven years, and while the standard of entries seems to get better and better every year, this year the quality has been particularly high.
Guests having dinner at the 2016 Tourism Awards. Picture: Kieron Tovell - Credit: Archant
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'The extension of the awards to cover Suffolk as well as Norfolk naturally meant we were prepared for a greater variety of entries, but I think everyone involved in the judging process has been pleasantly surprised by the strength on show across each category.'
EDP editor David Powles said the importance of the tourism sector to the economies of both counties was becoming increasingly important.
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'The recent closure of a number of businesses in Norfolk and subsequent job losses has highlighted how vital tourism is to us. It's the biggest employer in Norfolk and contributes over £3bn to the economy.
'These awards are our way of showing appreciation to those businesses that attract visitors to our region and keep them coming back.'
Guests at the 2016 Tourism Awards. Picture: Kieron Tovell - Credit: Archant
EADT editor Brad Jones said the tourism industry helped locals and visitors enjoy all that both counties offered 'to the full'.
'These awards will honour those businesses and attractions which showcase the best of Suffolk and Norfolk. Competition is fierce, so the finalists should be feeling pretty proud.
'It's fantastic that our first ever joint awards will be held in Suffolk at St Edmundsbury Cathedral – I can't wait to welcome everyone to what will be a great celebration of the industry.'
