TOURISM is undoubtedly one of York and North Yorkshire’s biggest industries, with the sector supporting 19,000 jobs off the back of £564 million being spent by some 6.9 million visitors every year. And that’s just in York.

Across Yorkshire, the tourism industry is worth more than £7 billion annually and the county attracts about 216 million visits each year.

Given the scale of the industry, winning one of Yorkshire’s annual tourism awards is no small feat.

This year the judges of the White Rose Awards, organised by Welcome to Yorkshire, said the standard of entries has been higher than ever as they revealed their shortlist for a total of 17 categories.

Colin Mellors, chairman of the White Rose Award judges, said: “Yorkshire’s tourism businesses are truly exceptional - bringing large numbers of visitors and income to the region and enhancing our reputation at home and abroad.

“The sector goes from strength to strength and many of its established stars feature on this year’s White Rose shortlist alongside some welcome new additions. What they have in common is their firm commitment to ensuring guests enjoy unrivalled hospitality, produce, facilities and experiences. The fantastic scenery and heritage provide the icing on the cake.

“With so many strong entries, shortlisting was very difficult this year. Choosing the eventual winners is going to be really tough.”

The winners will be announced at a glittering black tie ceremony later this year, which is due to be attended by more than a thousand people.

Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “The quality of this year’s entries has been exceptional and makes me feel hugely proud of all the brilliant work going on in tourism in the county.

“It’s an honour to be part of these awards that recognise the many businesses and organisations that make Yorkshire such an amazing destination.”

York and North Yorkshire features heavily on the shortlist, not least in the strongly contested Pub of the Year category, in which four of the six finalists come from York as the city’s The Bay Tree, The Chequers Inn, The Duke of York and The White Swan battle against Ripon’s The Bruce Arms, and The Swan & Talbot in Wetherby.

While York misses out on a Restaurant of the Year runner, the wider region shows a strong performance with Lanterna Restaurant in Scarborough,The Hare Restaurant, near Thirsk, The Pheasant Hotel, near Helmsley, The Westwood Restaurant, in Beverley and Malton’s Wentworth Restaurant all making the shortlist.

The Small Hotel of the Year category is also dominated by North Yorkshire entrants with the Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa in Helmsley up against Goldsborough Hall, near Knaresborough, The Victoria Hotel, in Robin Hoods Bay, Harrogate’s West Park Hotel, Yorebridge House in Leyburn and Tickton Grange Country Hotel in Beverley.

The National Railway Museum and York Conferences, along with the Yorkshire Event Centre in Harrogate made the running as three of the six finalists in the Business Tourism Award, while Carr House Farm bed and breakfast, and No.21, both in York, made it onto the Guest Accommodation of the Year shortlist.

York’s attractions failed to make an appearance on the Large Attraction of the Year title contest, however Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens, and Scampston Hall & Walled Gardens both made the Small Attraction of the Year category.

After undergoing its £20 million refurbishment and rebrand The Principal York has made it among the Large Hotel of the Year’s seven finalists, alongside The Black Swan in Helmsley, and Harrogate’s Rudding Park.

York Racecourse, York Maze, and The Grand Hotel & Spa in York are all contenders for the Outstanding Customer Service Award, while Lendal Tower is shortlist in the Self Catering Accommodation category.

Making the most of the region’s produce, the Producers and Makers category recognises Yorkshire Heart Vineyard and Brewery, near York, and the Taste of Yorkshire Award nods to Miller’s Fish and Chips in York, as well as Cedarbarn Farmshop in Pickering, among others from across the county.