THE attendance of the world’s best racehorse Frankel at York Racecourse and last summer’s ambitious production of the York Mystery Plays are among the finalists of the Visit York Tourism Awards 2013.

Following record entries, 54 tourism businesses have been shortlisted by judges across 13 categories. The winners will be announced in front of 400 guests at an awards ceremony on May 9 at York Racecourse.

The panel of independent judges will now review the shortlisted businesses and conduct mystery shopping visits.

Winners from each category will then have the opportunity to go forward to the regional White Rose Awards and the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of Visit York, said: “York’s tourism businesses continually strive to achieve higher and higher standards in order to retain a competitive edge. This is one of the many reasons York remains a world-class visitor destination.”

Finalists for the People’s Choice Award – Pub/Bar of the Year will be revealed next week when members of the public will be invited to vote online at visityork.org 


Finalists


Guest Accommodation of the Year
Bishops;
The Bloomsbury;
Carlton House;
Warrens

Hotel of the Year
Cedar Court Grand Hotel & Spa;
Dean Court Hotel;
Middlethorpe Hall & Spa;
Novotel York;
Royal York Hotel & Event Centre;
York Marriott Hotel

Self Catering/Caravan Park of the Year
Apartments 5, 6 & 12 Monkbridge Court;
Jollydays Luxury Camping;
The Riverside York;
Robin Hood Caravan Park;
The York Hop Store

Café/Tearoom of the Year
Café Harlequin;
Filmore & Union;
Spring Espresso;
York Cocoa House

Visitor Attraction of the Year
Beningbrough Hall and Gardens;
National Railway Museum;
JORVIK;
York Castle Museum;
York Maze

Restaurant of the Year
El Piano;
The Grill Room at Cedar Court Grand Hotel & Spa;
Mumbai Lounge; 
The Oak Room at Middlethorpe Hall & Spa;
The Royal Oak

Visitor Experience of the Year
Jorvik Viking Festival;
York Maze Halloween/Hallowscream;
York Minster /The Orb;
York Mystery Plays 2012;
York Racecourse – Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival 2012

Shopping Experience of the Year
Hotel Chocolat;
Jack Wolfskin;
Now and Then Events - York Does Vintage;
Pandora;
York Cocoa House

Marketing Campaign of the Year
Now and Then Events - York Does Vintage;
Umbrella Sky at Clifford’s Tower;
York Maze 2012 & Halloween Events;
York Mystery Plays 2012; York Racecourse – Unlocking the Frankel Factor

Conference Venue of the Year
National Railway Museum;
Royal York Hotel & Event Centre;
The Merchant Taylors Hall;
York Conferences;
York Racecourse Hospitality

Outstanding Customer Service Award
Amanda Fogg – Hedley House Hotel;
Guy Wallis – The Golden Fleece;
Shirley Fletcher- Hilton York;
Alexandra Claydon & Samantha de la Tour, Now and Then Events;
Rebecca & Damian Palmer-Bunting; Robin Hood Caravan Park