News Article

The region’s tourism industry was honoured last night (Wednesday 19 October) at the first North East England Tourism Awards, which took place at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland.

The awards rewarded the leading individuals, businesses and attractions that are contributing to the region’s thriving tourism industry. Those honoured at the awards include:
Small Hotel Of The Year
- Seaham Hall Hotel & Serenity Spa – Seaham, County Durham
Large Hotel Of The Year
- Matfen Hall Hotel – Matfen, Northumberland
Bed And Breakfast Of The Year
- The King’s Head Hotel & Restaurant – Newton-Under-Roseberry
Self-Catering Holiday Of The Year
- The Northumberland House – Longhoughton, Northumberland
Caravan Holiday Park Of The Year
- Seafield Caravan Park – Seahouses, Northumberland
Large Visitor Attraction
- Laing Art Gallery – Newcastle upon Tyne
Small Visitor Attraction Of The Year
- The National Trust Gibside – Burnopfield, Tyne & Wear
Tourism Web Site Of The Year
- Visit Teesdale – www.teesdaleholidays.co.uk
Outstanding Customer Service Award
- Neville Hails, Discovery Museum – Newcastle upon Tyne
Business Tourism Award Of The Year
- Matfen Hall Hotel – Matfen, Northumberland
Taste Of North East England
- Doddington Dairy Ltd – Doddington, Northumberland
The Region’s Best Tourist Information Centre
- North Shields Tourist Information Centre
Best Family Experience
- Life Science Centre – Newcastle upon Tyne
Most Welcoming Experience
- Killhope Lead Mining Museum - Upper Weardale, County Durham
Best Innovation In Tourism
- Tyne & Wear Museums Service – Newcastle upon Tyne
Best Visitor Pub
- The Keelman’s – Newburn, Tyne & Wear
Tourism Ambassador Of The Year
- Jan Williams, Blue Badge Guide
53 tourism businesses right across the region, large and small, including accommodation providers and visitor attractions from Guisborough up to Berwick and across to Barnard Castle, Upper Weardale and Kielder had been shortlisted in the North East England Tourism Awards organised by regional development agency One North East.

John Holmes, One North East director of regeneration and tourism said: “I would like to congratulate all of our winners on their success this year. The standard of entry was so high this year that all of our winners and finalists should be proud of their achievements.

“One North East’s vision is to make North East England a sought after destination 365 days a year – for leisure and business visitors – with activities, attractions, facilities and accommodation that consistently exceed visitor expectations.

“An important part of the North East England Tourism Strategy is the Tourism Awards, which reward and recognise the work of the many people involved, encouraging the continued improvement and raising of standards right across the industry.”

Visit Teesdale; Gibside; Laing Art Gallery; Matfen Hall Hotel – Golf – Spa; Seafield Caravan Park; North Shields Tourist Information Centre; Doddington Dairy Ltd; Seaham Hall Hotel & Serenity Spa; Neville Hailes of Discovery Museum and The Kings Head Hotel & Restaurant will now go forward and represent North East England in the national ‘Enjoy England Awards for Excellence’ in their respective categories.
 
Carrier Direct Marketing, Celador Radio Broadcasting and EasyJet supported the awards.

“Celador recognise the importance of initiatives, like these awards, in supporting one of the region’s key industry sectors and are proud to be involved in this year’s event as we launch Touch FM, our bid to establish a new quality regional radio service in North East England.  Touch FM will be targeting a primarily 40+ audience, proposing a quality regional radio station with great music and lively, professional presentation. It will also provide a comprehensive local, national and international news and sport service, reflecting the interests of our audience throughout the North East.” 

“Newcastle has quickly gained a reputation as a fun, creative city – as well as being one of the gateways to the rich historical and scenic attractions of the wider region. North East England offers the visitor a whole host of new experiences with hospitality that is second to none. Over the last two years EasyJet has increased the number of routes from Newcastle airport to 15 in response to demand. The introduction of these routes has helped revolutionised leisure and business travel making it more accessible and affordable for all. We actively support partnership working with area tourist boards to encourage visitors to broaden their horizons and are thrilled to be sponsoring this year’s North East England Tourism Awards.”

“Carrier Direct Marketing is a call centre and mailing house providing marketing support services to the tourism industry. We are pleased to be sponsoring the North East England Tourism Awards and to be providing our support to the region. CDM understand the increasing important for the industry to provide a quality service to their customers and offer a range of services, from literature distribution through to direct marketing and from call centre support through to processing bookings for accommodation and events”. 
                                  
ENDS

For further information please contact Val Lowther at One North East T: 0191 229 6852 / 07801 188327

Full List of Winners:

SMALL HOTEL OF THE YEAR (UP TO 50 BEDROOMS)
WINNER - Seaham Hall Hotel & Serenity Spa – Seaham, County Durham
FINALIST - Langley Castle – Langley-on-Tyne, Northumberland

Judges comments on winner:

John Sands, Chair North East Tourism Advisory Board and Chair of the judges said:
“This hotel knows their customer and how to target them. Guests arriving at the hotel receive a warm from staff whose training is constantly being encouraged.
Seaham Hall Hotel & Serenity Spa is truly a ‘world class product’.”

LARGE HOTEL OF THE YEAR (OVER 35 BEDROOMS)
WINNER - Matfen Hall Hotel – Matfen, Northumberland
FINALIST - Malmaison Hotel – Newcastle upon Tyne
FINALIST - Durham Marriott Hotel Royal County – Durham City

Judges comments on winner:

John Sands, Chair North East Tourism Advisory Board and Chair of the judges said: “The hotel caters very much for the modern visitor whilst retaining its regency character and many original features combined with 21st century facilities. This is truly a magnificent hotel offering very high standards.”

BED AND BREAKFAST OF THE YEAR
WINNER - The King’s Head Hotel & Restaurant – Newton-under-Roseberry, Tees Valley
FINALIST - Horsley Hall – Westgate, County Durham
FINALIST - Grinkle Lodge – Nr. Staithes, North Yorkshire

Judges comments on winner:

John Sands, Chair North East Tourism Advisory Board and Chair of the judges said: “A very sympathetic development of a 17th century row of country cottages, with wonderful views of Roseberry Topping. ‘Customer care’ is a high priority, food of a very high quality and always looking for ways to.”

SELF-CATERING HOLIDAY OF THE YEAR
WINNER - The Northumberland House – Longhoughton, Northumberland
FINALIST - Strathmore Barns – Darlington
FINALIST - Swallowfields – Wooler, Northumberland

Judges comments on winner:

John Sands, Chair North East Tourism Advisory Board and Chair of the judges said:
“The owners have spotted a gap in the market and offer families aged 0 upwards somewhere to stay together. The quality of the accommodation is wonderful from the largest to the smallest room.”

CARAVAN HOLIDAY PARK OF THE YEAR
WINNER - Seafield Caravan Park – Seahouses, Northumberland
FINALIST - Ord House Country Park – Berwick-upon-Tweed
FINALIST - Barnard Castle Camping & Caravan Club Site – Barnard Castle

Judges comments on winner:

John Sands, Chair North East Tourism Advisory Board and Chair of the judges said:
“The judges were very impressed with the long-term investment in the site, which pays particular attention to the development of wildlife area. Staff training is excellent and Seafield Caravan Park is very pro-active in promoting to both locals and visitors.”

LARGE VISITOR ATTRACTION (OVER 100,000 VISITORS)
WINNER - Laing Art Gallery – Newcastle upon Tyne
FINALIST - BALTIC – Gateshead

Judges comments on winner:

John Sands, Chair North East Tourism Advisory Board and Chair of the judges said:
“The judges were very impressed with the high standard of facilities and information available to visitors, offering visitors outstanding levels of service from the moment they arrive.”

SMALL VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR (UNDER 100,000 VISITORS)
WINNER – The National Trust Gibside – Burnopfield, Tyne & Wear
FINALIST - Harperley POW – Fir Tree, near Crook, County Durham
FINALIST - Hall Hill Farm – Lanchester, County Durham

Judges comments on winner:

John Sands, Chair North East Tourism Advisory Board and Chair of the judges said: “A small attraction with something for all the family, the judges were particularly impressed with the range of events offered at Gibside.”

TOURISM WEB SITE OF THE YEAR
WINNER - Visit Teesdale – www.teesdaleholidays.co.uk
FINALIST - The Old School Quality B & B – www.northumberlandbedandbreakfast.co.uk
FINALIST - Seven Stories – www.sevenstories.org.uk

Judges Comments: John Sands, Chair North East Tourism Advisory Board said: “
“Visit Teesdale have recognised the benefits of a well designed website. The judges felt the Visit Teesdale site was easy to navigate and perfect for planning a holiday in the area.”

OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD
WINNER - Neville Hails, Discovery Museum – Newcastle upon Tyne

Judges comments on winner:

John Sands, Chair North East Tourism Advisory Board and Chair of the judges said: “Neville Hails is a Museum Assistant and a member of the front of house team responsible for the day-to-day operations of the museum. His customer care expertise has been recognised by visitors on many occasions, when they have generally expressed their thanks directly and in person. Always focussed on the visitor and their needs, Neville has undertaken training to ensure all visitors get the best possible experience from their visit to Discovery Museum.”

BUSINESS TOURISM AWARD OF THE YEAR
WINNER - Matfen Hall Hotel – Matfen, Northumberland
FINALIST - Teesdale Marketing Ltd – Teesdale, County Durham

Judges comments on winner:

John Sands, Chair North East Tourism Advisory Board and Chair of the judges said:
“The judges were very impressed with the way this rural hotel markets itself as a year-round destination and how it is continually seeking ways to find the most cost effective methods of promoting itself as a business venue to national and international markets.”

TASTE OF NORTH EAST ENGLAND
WINNER - Doddington Dairy Ltd – Doddington, Northumberland
FINALIST - Ross’s Pickles – Newcastle upon Tyne
FINALIST - Grannies – Alnwick, Northumberland

Judges comments on winner:

John Sands, Chair North East Tourism Advisory Board and Chair of the judges said: “This business has developed from a barrow at the entrance to the farm to now supplying local food outlets and shows using local ingredients including honey, ale, fruit and milk. All round this is a first class business run by a family with ‘passionate’ ideas about how to develop a no. 1 product.”

THE REGION’S BEST TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE
WINNER - North Shields Tourist Information Centre
FINALIST - Durham City Tourist Information Centre
FINALIST - Sunderland Tourist Information Centre

This year’s Tourist Information Centre of the Year Award is based on the results of our annual mystery shopper exercise carried out during August. All 35 TICs belonging to the North East England Network were assessed.

John Sands, Chair North East Tourism Advisory Board and Chair of the judges said:
“North Shields Tourist Information Centre makes a very positive impression on the customer. This is due to staff being enthusiastic, genuinely interested, helpful and demonstrating good product knowledge.”

BEST FAMILY EXPERIENCE
WINNER - Life Science Centre – Newcastle upon Tyne
FINALIST - Discovery Museum – Newcastle upon Tyne
FINALIST - Blue Reef Aquarium – Tynemouth, Tyne & Wear

Judges comments on winner:

John Sands, Chair North East Tourism Advisory Board and Chair of the judges said: “The judges felt Life Science Centre is a great example of a ‘family day out’ attraction where there is something for every one of all ages. The science content is communicated in a fun way to children, however, adults are encouraged to join in through the creation of scenarios where they interact and learn together.”

MOST WELCOMING EXPERIENCE
WINNER - Killhope Lead Mining Museum - Upper Weardale, County Durham
FINALIST – The National Trust Gibside – Burnopfield, Tyne & Wear
FINALIST - South Shields Museum & Art Gallery – South Shields, Tyne & Wear

Judges comments on winner:

John Sands, Chair North East Tourism Advisory Board and Chair of the judges said: “The staff at Killhope Lead Mining Museum are enthusiastic offering visitors a truly warm welcome.”

BEST INNOVATION IN TOURISM
WINNER - Tyne & Wear Museums Service – Newcastle Upon Tyne
FINALIST - Dreadnaught Coaches – Alnwick, Northumberland
FINALIST - Hartlepool Maritime Experience – Hartlepool, Tees Valley

Judges comments on winner:

John Sands, Chair North East Tourism Advisory Board and Chair of the judges said:
“This was awarded to Tyne and Wear Museums service for the way the innovation ‘Look, Touch, Listen and Smell’, has improved accessibility for all. Access to collections and sites across Tyne & Wear has been improved through a variety of formats including Braille and tactile, large print, or audio.”

BEST VISITOR PUB
WINNER – The Keelman’s – Newburn, Tyne & Wear
FINALIST - The Black Bull – Ford & Etal, Northumberland

Judges comments on winner:

John Sands, Chair North East Tourism Advisory Board and Chair of the judges said:
“The Keelman’s is located in a former water pumping station; it houses the oldest micro brewery in the North East offering guided tours for visitors. The judges were very impressed with the way this pub interacts with the local community and visitors.  It is a great example of a unique way to preserve the region’s heritage.”

TOURISM AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR
WINNER – Jan Williams, Blue Badge Guide

Judges comments on winner:

John Sands, Chair North East Tourism Advisory Board and Chair of the judges said:
“Jan has run her own successful business as a North East Blue Badge guide since 1990. She has knowledge of the region and an enthusiasm for sharing this that is second to none and is acutely aware that it is necessary to bring on the next generation of guides and ambassadors and is working with the Institute of Tourist Guiding, which delivers accredited training. 

“Jan works at all levels with domestic and international leisure visitors, the travel trade, conference and business tourism and volunteers. She regularly supports press and media visits and familiarisations visits for many organisations throughout the region. To put it simply Jan is a wonderful Tourism Ambassador for North East England.”