VisitEngland has revealed the 10 superstars to make the shortlist of its annual search to find the unsung hero of England’s tourism industry.
VisitEngland’s Tourism Superstar competition, now in its 12th year, seeks out champions currently working in tourism who provide unforgettable visitor experiences, as well as showcasing the variety and quality of England’s tourism offer and destinations.
The 10 finalists were selected out of dozens of submissions from employers and destinations across England covering all areas of tourism. The finalists now go on to compete for the title of Tourism Superstar, decided by a public vote this year run on VisitEngland’s website.
VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said:
“We have the most wonderful people working in our industry and Tourism Superstar is about recognising those individuals who go the extra mile to make visitor experiences truly special. Whether discovering a city from its waterways, exploring a destination led by volunteers, running a cycle hire non-profit or showcasing culinary delights with food tours, these individuals truly go above and beyond in their roles as tourism ambassadors.
“I congratulate the 10 finalists and wish them every success in the competition, though of course they are all superstars already. I also encourage everyone to get involved and cast their votes once the competition opens.”
Amy Whitfield one of the North East’s most passionate and dedicated champions has been recognised as a finalist in this year’s VisitEngland Tourism Superstars contest following a nomination by NewcastleGateshead Initiative. Anyone who has had the pleasure of joining a Triple A Food Tour, have will have seen firsthand her unwavering passion and enthusiasm for the North East and the local businesses and individuals she works with.
Ian Thomas – Director of Visitor Economy at NewcastleGateshead Initiative said:
“We are over the moon that one of the North East’s most passionate and dedicated champions has been recognised as a finalist in this year’s VisitEngland Tourism Superstars contest following her nomination by NewcastleGateshead Initiative last year.
“Anyone who has had the pleasure of joining Amy and her tour guides on a journey around the region’s tastiest spots will have seen firsthand her unwavering passion and enthusiasm for the North East and the local restauranteurs, businesses, and individuals she works with.
“Amy is at the forefront of shining a light on the entire region’s burgeoning food scene from Northumberland to Newcastle, to County Durham and she is a true advocate for the trailblazing independent restaurants, street food innovators, market-stall holders and traditional food and drink businesses that make up the food and beverage sector in the North East.
“Her steadfast commitment to delighting her guests and to telling the stories of the people she works with, and the grit and determination she has shown from setting up in the midst of the pandemic to now selling out tours months in advance demonstrates why she is more than deserving of this national recognition.
“Amy’s success further shines a light on the work of the Destination Development Partnership Pilot and its ability to support and champion the area’s visitor economy superstars.
I hope the region will come together and rally behind Amy when voting opens.”
VistEngland’s Tourism Superstar 2024 finalists are:
- Emily Williamson, Pub Tours Ltd, Peak District
- Field Sport UK, Leicestershire
- Sue & Ian Rainford, Brickhouse Farm Cottages, Lancashire
- Pete Chambers, The Coventry Music Museum
- Lily-Rose Sheppard, Paddlesport Guide, Roundhouse Birmingham
- Isle of Wight Ramblers: David Howarth, David Yates and Linda Jones
- Liam White, Animal Manager, Fairytale Farm, Chipping Norton
- Robert Dennis Brown, Dalby Forest Cycle Hub, North York Moors National Park
- Bury St Edmunds Tour Guides
- Amy Whitfield Triple A Food Tours, North East of England
The public will be able to vote for their favourite superstar on VisitEngland’s website from mid-February when the competition officially opens. Short films of all the finalists, carrying out their duties in their tourism roles, promoting their local destinations will, be shown on VisitEngland’s website to support with voting. Voting closes at the end of English Tourism Week (ETW). ETW takes place from 15-24 March 2024.
The superstar with the highest number of votes is crowned winner at the end of the competition with the Tourism Superstar award handed out in spring at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence event.
For more information on VisitEngland’s Tourism Superstar 2024 finalists go to: https://www.visitbritain.org/working-us/visitenglands-tourism-superstar…
Tourism is one of England’s largest and most valuable industries, supporting hundreds of thousands of small-to-medium sized businesses, employing 2.6 million people and, in 2022, generating £66 billion for the economy in domestic visitor spending.