Archbishop of York receives ‘ambassador’ accolade at tourism awards

8:43am Friday 23rd April 2010

By Claire Bottomley

TOURISM chiefs hailed the Archbishop of York the answer to their prayers when they presented him with the top award at a major ceremony.

The annual York Tourism Awards, organised by Visit York, were held at the National Railway Museum last night, to celebrate excellence in the city’s crucial tourism industry.

Fourteen winners, picked from hundreds of entries, were presented with their awards at the event hosted by writer and broadcaster Gervase Phinn.

The award for Tourism Ambassador 2010 went to Dr John Sentamu for the role he plays both nationally and internationally in putting York on the map.

Since his arrival in the city in 2005, visitors have met the Archbishop offering open-air baptisms, he has visited flood victims in Cumbria and made visits overseas.

Visit York chairman John Yeomans said: “The Archbishop has contributed greatly to raising the profile of the city and we’re delighted he has accepted this award in recognition of the work he does both in York and across the globe.”

Dr Sentamu, who was unable to attend the award ceremony in person, said it was a “great honour”.

He said: “York is one of the greatest cities in Britain. It’s not just the great tourist attractions we have here like the Minster, the Jorvik Viking Centre and the Railway Museum that draw people into the city – no, I put it down to the incredible people we have here in York. Yorkshire people may be famous for being straight talking, but they are also renowned for being warm-spirited, kind-hearted and very welcoming to our visitors. I think that’s the main reason people keep coming back – and also one of the main reasons I have won this award!”

Elsewhere, York Maze proved a huge hit with families, earning the title of best visitor attraction in the over 50,000 visitors category.

The Ice Factor scooped the title of best small visitor attraction, while green tourism proved to be making its mark, as eco-friendly Dovecote Barns were voted top self-catering accommodation and luxury camping – glamping – experts. The Feversham Arms Hotel at Helmsley took the title of Best Hotel, Lowe Penhowe at Malton took the best B&B prize and Best Visitor Experience went to the Ebor Festival at York racecourse.

Mr Yeomans said: “We know that the last 12 months have continued to present difficult times for many businesses. It’s more important than ever to provide recognition for the work going on here in York to welcome the city’s seven million annual visitors. The care that businesses take in providing first-class products and services will help Visit York to ensure the city’s tourism economy goes from strength to strength.”

York Tourism Awards winners

Best Hotel
Sponsored by Yorkshire Laundry Services
WINNER – The Feversham Arms Hotel & Spa, Helmsley

Best Guest Accommodation
Sponsored by Barry Crux & Co
WINNER – Low Penhowe, Burythorpe, Malton

Best Self Catering or Caravan Park
Sponsored by New Vision
WINNER – Dovecote Barns, Kelfield
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Jollydays Luxury Camping, Scrayingham

Best Conference Venue
Sponsored by Saville Audio Visual
WINNER – The National Railway Museum

Taste of York
Sponsored by Morrell Middleton
WINNER – The Black Swan at Oldstead, Coxwold

Award in Culinary Excellence
Sponsored by DeliciouslYorkshire
WINNER – Tom Banks, The Black Swan at Oldstead
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Matthew Hyde, York Marriott Hotel

Best Visitor Attraction (under 50,000 visitors)
Sponsored by The Jespers Office
WINNER – The Ice Factor

Best Visitor Attraction (50,000 visitors & over)
Sponsored by York City Sightseeing
WINNER – York Maze

Best Visitor Experience
Sponsored by F R Fowler & Son
WINNER – The Ebor Festival – York Racecourse

Best Marketing Campaign
Sponsored by Leeds Bradford International Airport
JOINT WINNERS – North Yorkshire Moors Railway and York Castle Museum Prison (by York Museums Trust)

Best Employer
Sponsored by Denison Till
WINNER – York Marriott Hotel

Outstanding Customer Service Award
Sponsored by Pindar Plc
WINNER – Anna Hendry-Smith, Hotel Chocolat
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Sue Towler, National Railway Museum

York Ambassador Award
Sponsored by Ware & Kay
WINNER – Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York