Broads tourism businesses steal the show
Eight Broads tourism businesses will be fighting it out at the EDP Tourism in Norfolk Awards, sponsored by the Hoseasons Group, on November 19th.
Six, including three who are in the running for the EDP Awards, reached the final of the Regional Enjoy England Awards for Excellence, known as “the Oscars of Tourism” which took place at Ickworth Park, Suffolk on November 4th.
Best B & B/Guest Accommodation went to Dairy Barns at Hickling. The Self-Catering Holiday award was won by East View Farm, Ashmanhaugh. For Outstanding Customer Service Phillip Search for the Broad House Hotel was the winner, and the Taste of England award went to Wroxham Barns.
The record number of Broads finalists vying for high profile awards seals an excellent year for Broads tourism in which great strides have been made in raising the profile of the Broads onto a global stage in “a new spirit of co-operation” and visitor numbers soared. Hire boats have increased in number by 35.
The year began with the biggest collaborative campaign ever to promote the Broads as a leading UK tourism destination at the Birmingham Boat and Caravan Show in February. Inspired by the Broads Tourism Forum, the Enjoy the Broads 2010 campaign involved the launch of 175,000 brochures distributed throughout East Anglia and beyond.
In the spring the Broads Authority, in close co-operation with the Broads Tourism Forum, launched a new website, www.enjoythebroads.com, containing comprehensive visitor information about the Broads. Its development has continued and the website will have a new look for the new year.
The new Broads brand, “Britain’s Magical Waterland”, launched on July 1st, has been hugely popular with most of the Broads big hitters. A number of businesses, as well as North Norfolk Council, are already using it in their publicity and others are preparing to incorporate it for next season.
At the same time the Broads Quality Charter, initiated by the Broads Authority to assess eating establishments in the Broads, was relaunched under Visit England’s taste accreditation banner and is now a national scheme.
Bruce Hanson, Head of Tourism at the Broads Authority said: “There really is a new spirit of cooperation between the Broads Tourism Forum and the Broads Authority that is paying dividends for tourism here. Tourism is hugely important to the area because so many jobs and livelihoods depend on it and so many people’s lives are enhanced by visiting the Broads.”
Ian Russell, chairman of the Broads Tourism Forum, said: “The Broads Tourism Forum is very proud of the number of businesses whose work has been recognised for enhancing the area’s visitor experience. This acknowledges our sustained drive for quality in the Broads.”
In the EDP Tourism in Norfolk Awards the Waveney River Centre is in the running for the Best Broads Holiday Experience, the Best Caravan or Holiday Park award and the Customer Care Award.
BeWILDerwood of Hoveton is a finalist for the Best Broads Holiday Experience, the Berry Savory Best Tourist Attraction and the Most Effective use of Online Marketing.
Norfolk Broads Direct is a finalist in the Best Broads Holiday Experience category.
Richardson’s Group is a finalist in the Most Effective use of Online Marketing category.
Hoveton Hall Gardens is competing in the EDP Tourism in Norfolk Berry Savory Best Tourist Attraction category.
Wroxham Barns is a finalist in the EDP Tourism in Norfolk Customer Care Award.
Plum Tree Cottage is a finalist as Best Self-catering Establishment.
05/11/10
