BUSINESSES within York’s tourism sector are being invited to enter the city’s largest industry awards.

Entries are now open for the Visit York Tourism Awards, which are this year being held on June 21, and will shine the spotlight on excellence in the tourism industry and reward outstanding service, innovation and quality.

The event, expected to attracted a 500-strong audience from across York’s tourism sector, will be held in the Great Hall of the National Railway Museum, and this year features a new category for the wedding industry.

Businesses from across the city, from hotels to restaurants, pubs to visitor attractions have until the deadline on March 1 to submit their winning entries.

Sally Greenaway, head of Visit York, a part of Make It York, said: “The Visit York annual tourism awards are a brilliant showcase for the talent, hard work and creativity of the city’s tourism sector.

“Winning an award can really help to differentiate your business as well as motivate and thank your team.”

The 15 award categories for 2018 are: Bed and Breakfast or Guest House the Year, Café or Tearoom of the Year, Conference Venue of the Year, Family Friendly Experience of the Year, Hotel of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, Outstanding Customer Service, Pub or Bar of the Year, Restaurant of the Year, Self-catering venue of the Year, Shopping Experience of the Year, Visitor Attraction of the Year (over 50,000 visitors), Visitor Attraction of the Year (under 50,000), Visitor Experience of the Year, Guided Tour of the Year (new category for 2018), Wedding Venue of the Year (new category for 2018) and the Visit York Tourism Champion 2018. This award category is in recognition of an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to York’s Tourism Industry and will be chosen by an independent panel of judges.

A panel of independent judges will decide on the final shortlist and winners through a mix of mystery shopping by Shopper Anonymous and rigorous analysis against the entry criteria.

To enter visit www.visityork.org/awards.