There's now less than a week to nominate your tourism stars.

Eastern Daily Press: EDP Tourism Awards 2015. Pic by Keiron TovellEDP Tourism Awards 2015. Pic by Keiron Tovell (Image: Archant)

The deadline for nominations in our EDP Hoseasons Tourism Awards 2016, the 13th ceremony of its kind, is this Saturday.

And with categories ranging from Best Independent Hotel to Oustanding Contribution, there's plenty of scope to secure more nominations than ever before.

Whether it's an attraction which holds special memories for your family, a hotel which feels like home or a go-to restaurant for family occasions, there's a place for all of them in the awards.

Tourism is a key sector in the county, generating nearly £3bn for the local economy and supporting 59,000 jobs.

Eastern Daily Press: EDP Norfolk Tourism Awards 2013 at the holiday Inn, Norwich North. Guest Speaker Simon Altham from Hoseasons.EDP Norfolk Tourism Awards 2013 at the holiday Inn, Norwich North. Guest Speaker Simon Altham from Hoseasons. (Image: Archant 2013)

When entries close on Saturday, a shortlist will be put together, which our judges will whittle down to the finalists.

A ceremony, with a drinks reception sponsored by Paul Robinson Partnership, will then be held in November.

• To nominate, visit http://norfolk.tourismawards.co.uk/The categories:

• Lloyds Bank Best Food and Drink Tourism Attraction Award

Eastern Daily Press: Members of the Wensum River Parkway Partnership on board a silver line hire boat to promote Norwich City as part of the broads. Picture: Denise BradleyMembers of the Wensum River Parkway Partnership on board a silver line hire boat to promote Norwich City as part of the broads. Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Archant)

This category seeks to find businesses which have enhanced their visitor experience through food and drink, attracting greater footfall, and evolved into a so-called destination attractions.

Suzie Stubbing, Lloyds Bank area director for Norfolk, said: 'Lloyds Bank and Lloyds Bank Cardnet are delighted to be sponsoring the Best Food and Drink Attraction Award for 2016.

'For lovers of great food and wine, Norfolk offers a wide variety of market-leading restaurants and pubs which have become tourist destinations in their own right for people visiting our beautiful county.

'At Lloyds we understand and appreciate the importance of the tourism sector to the success of the region and we recently launched a dedicated division in the east of England to support these businesses.'

Eastern Daily Press: The Golden Mile in Great Yarmouth on a warm and sunny afternoon.Picture: James BassThe Golden Mile in Great Yarmouth on a warm and sunny afternoon.Picture: James Bass (Image: Archant Norfolk © 2015)

• Norfolk Country Cottages (NCC) Best Self Catering Establishment Award

The award is open to all individual self-catering properties in Norfolk, with every property required to be graded by Visit England.

Heather McCraith, general manger at NCC, said: 'As the leading independent self-catering agency in the county, NCC has a high regard for quality within tourism.

Eastern Daily Press: A busy weekend at Ranworth staithe on the Norfolk Broads.A busy weekend at Ranworth staithe on the Norfolk Broads. (Image: Archant Norfolk Photographic © 2010)

'We also feel that it is very important to support the industry and recognise the achievements and commitment that owners put into their accommodation with the recognition that in an ever-changing and demanding market there is an expectation from guests to see an improvement in standards and facilities.

'This award recognises the commitment and very high standard of self-catering accommodation in Norfolk and one which we are delighted to be sponsoring.'

• Camplings Linen Customer Care Award

Eastern Daily Press: Royal Norfolk Show 2016.Second Day.Picture: James BassRoyal Norfolk Show 2016.Second Day.Picture: James Bass (Image: Archant Norfolk © 2016)

Whether it's a particular member of hotel staff who went the extra mile for your family, someone who worked quickly to rectify a complaint or attraction employees who raise a smile on every visit, we'd like to hear.

Judges will be looking for experiences where 'customer delight' has been delivered by an individual within an organisation, and how the action reflects the customer satisfaction values of the business.

Richard Turvill, Camplings Linen director, said: 'We at Campling's Laundry, in Great Yarmouth, started sponsoring the Customer Care award more than 10 years ago to recognise the efforts of individuals in the Norfolk tourism industry.

'Good people make the difference – the messages they provide and the satisfaction of product and service they deliver. Each year we learn from and enjoy meeting and discussing all the great entries.'

• Norfolk Tourist Attractions Association (NTAA) Best Small and Large Visitor Attraction of the Year Award

Martin Dupée, chairman of the NTAA – which is joint sponsor with Shopper Anonymous – and director of operations at the Zoological Society of East Anglia, said: 'We have supported the EDP Tourism Awards since they began.

'The awards raise the profile of Norfolk's hard-working tourism industry and celebrate excellence and best practice.

'In addition, our partnership with Shopper Anonymous helps raise quality standards in all the attractions that enter the awards.'

From Banham Zoo to Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden and Thetford's Dad's Army Museum to Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach, there's certainly plenty of choice.

In 2014, the total number of day visitors was put at about 39,982,000 – a huge boost to Norfolk's economy.

• Broads Tourism Broads National Park Tourism Business of the Year Award

Any potential winner should 'best exhibit the special qualities' of the Broads - which are part of the National Park family and is branded as such - and offer a safe and a high-quality experience.

Being environmentally-friendly, conscious of the local community as well as visitors should be at the forefront of their work.

Rachael Shakespeare, board member of Broads Tourism, said: 'We are constantly impressed by the innovation, passion and quality of the tourism and businesses operating in the Broads.

'Not only do they deliver a premium visitor experience that is in keeping with the unique proposition of the Broads, but they are creative and highly proactive in driving trade year-round.

'We are delighted to see these businesses recognised in a new category of their own and we encourage all businesses, both large and small, to enter.'

• Kingsley Healthcare Golden Years Award

People aged 65 and over make up about 23pc of Norfolk's population, above the national average.

So whether it is tailored for locals or tourists from further afield, small touches to make days away, dinners out or holidays more memorable should be praised.

Stephen Pullinger, head of PR at Kinglsey Healthcare, said: 'Providing quality care while respecting our residents' needs, choices and preferences is at the heart of everything we do as a business and we are passionate in the belief that older people should always have the best possible quality of life, including those times when they are on holiday or enjoying leisure activities.'

• Dann's Norfolk Dairy Ice Cream Family Tourism Event of the Year Award

This award will recognise the variety of 'family-orientated days out and visitor attractions' on offer.

Simon Dann, owner of Dann's Norfolk Dairy Ice Cream and Lollies, said: 'Every great family day out in Norfolk includes an ice cream. Whether it's at a theme park, theatre, cinema, carnival or outdoor show, nothing beats the whole family tucking into tubs or cones of delicious ice cream.

'It's a wonderful treat that adds to the enjoyment and experience of a day out. As producers of ice cream made with fresh milk from dairy cows on our Norfolk farm, we enjoy being the producers and suppliers of ice cream that Norfolk's tourism visitors know and love.'

• Dayvisits and Take One Media Best Marketing Award

The category will highlight businesses and attraction which have adopted a 'proactive approach to marketing'.

Judges will be looking for either one specific marketing ploy or an overall programme, be it through print, online, outdoor, press activity or a combination.

Philippa Harris, managing director of Take One Media/Dayvisits, said: 'Take One Media is keen to see the continued development of tourism in the county, and specifically the increasing professionalism of the marketing approaches used. see the awards as a great way to contribute to this through out sponsorship of the Best Marketing category.'

• Willerby Holiday Homes Holiday Park and Village of the Year Award

In 2014, visitors staying in static caravans accounted for 500,000 trips, almost three million nights and more than £109m in spending – making it a hugely important accommodation sector.

Julian Cooper, executive chairman of Willerby Holiday Homes, said: 'At Willerby Holiday Homes we recognise the importance of supporting the local economy and the tourism industry, which is why we decided to support the EDP Hoseasons Tourism Awards 2016.

'By sponsoring the Holiday Park and Village of the Year award, we are able to help showcase the fantastic facilities available to the public and demonstrate our commitment to maintaining, supporting and strengthening our relationships in the local area.

'With the expectations of more staycations post-Brexit, we anticipate that these awards will help us all shout about and celebrate what the region has to offer for our holidaymakers.'

• Norwich Print Solutions Best Independent Hotel Award

The delight – and relief – when opening the door into a welcoming hotel room for the first time is one hard to rival. They say that your first impression is your last impression – and this is never more true than with hotels.

Pippa Redmond, director, said: 'We are very much looking forward to sponsoring the Best Independent Hotel Award this year.

'It's a new category for us and we firmly believe it is vital to have good hotels for tourism in Norfolk.

'Tourism contributes a large amount to businesses within Norfolk by stimulating and sustaining the local economy, as well as creating a diverse and vibrant culture within which many businesses thrive.'