In the news: Blenheim Palace wins Gold and Silver in Beautiful South Awards for Tourism Excellence
NEWS RELEASE
Thursday 28th November 2012
TOP TOURISM BUSINESSES WIN GOLD AT THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTH AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE
Seventeen South East tourism businesses have been awarded Gold at the Beautiful South’s Awards for Excellence 2012-2013 held at Denbies Wine Estate, Surrey on 28 November. Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, received a Gold for Sustainable Tourism and a Silver in the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year category.
The Beautiful South Awards are now in their 22nd year and recognise businesses and destinations across the tourism industry for their exceptional levels of customer service and dedication to raising standards. The winners were announced by hosts Ken Robinson CBE, Chairman, Tourism South East (TSE) and guest radio presenter for Heart FM, Toby Anstis. Gold winners from across the South East include Chewton Glen Hotel in Hampshire, Thanet Visitor Information Service in Kent and The Feathered Nest Country Inn in Oxfordshire.
‘Congratulations to all tonight’s winners’, said Peter Colling, Managing Director of TSE. ‘Our industry’s commitment to providing the best possible customer experience is outstanding. The Award winners are truly the best-in-class and we look forward to seeing them on the national stage at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2013.’
‘The current economic climate continues to present many challenges for the tourism industry - however, the standards achieved by our Award winners this year show their determination to provide their visitors and guests with memorable and outstanding experiences,’ added Peter.
Heather Carter, Head of Operations at Blenheim Palace comments: "We are delighted to have won Gold and Silver in two Beautiful South Awards for Tourism Excellence. To win Gold for Sustainable Tourism is a huge achievement recognising our ongoing efforts towards sustainability, and the challenges we have faced introducing green practices at a large heritage property.
As a business we place great importance on taking responsibility to protect our environment so as to protect our heritage. Since joining the Green Tourism Business Scheme in 2009 we have significantly reduced our energy and water consumption at Blenheim Palace, and we have implemented many green and sustainable initiatives across the whole business, including catering and retail, and in the recent building of our new Visitor Centre. We are also very proud to receive Silver in the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year category, a great achievement in a tough times."
ENDS
Contact details for further information: Dan Holmes on 023 8062 5449 or email: dholmes@tourismse.com
More information about Tourism South East can be found at www.tourismsoutheast.com
For more information about Blenheim Palace and sustainable tourism click here
For more information about the Green Tourism Business Scheme visit www.green-business.co.uk.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
The Beautiful South Awards for Excellence are run by TSE & Services 4 Tourism. TSE is a leading membership-based tourism organisation and provider of tourism services operating across South East England, including Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire and Surrey and beyond.
List of Finalists by Accolade
GOLD
|
Category |
Business |
County |
|
Access for All Tourism |
Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa |
Hampshire |
|
Bed and Breakfast, Guest Accommodation of the Year |
St Mary's Hall |
Hampshire |
|
Bed and Breakfast, Guest Accommodation of the Year |
Alkham Court |
Kent |
|
Best Tourism Experience |
Livingstone Lodge, Port Lympne |
Kent |
|
Business Tourism |
Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa |
Hampshire |
|
Caravan Holiday Park and Holiday Village of the Year |
Two Hoots Campsite |
Hampshire |
|
Flavour of the South East |
The Mill at Gordleton |
Hampshire |
|
Large Attraction of the Year |
National Motor Museum, Beaulieu |
Hampshire |
|
Large Hotel/Townhouse of the Year |
Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa |
Hampshire |
|
Outstanding Customer Service |
Lorna Woodage (Kent Life - Continuum Group) |
Kent |
|
Pub of the Year |
The Feathered Nest Country Inn (GCP) |
Oxfordshire |
|
Self Catering and Serviced Apartments |
West Marden Farm Cottages |
W Sussex |
|
Small Attraction of the Year |
Watts Gallery |
Surrey |
|
Small Hotel/Townhouse of the Year |
Lainston House Hotel |
Hampshire |
|
Sustainable Tourism |
Blenheim Palace |
Oxfordshire |
|
Tourism Event of the Year |
The Hampshire Food Festival |
Hampshire |
|
Tourist Information Service of the Year |
Thanet Visitor Information Service |
Kent |
Silver
|
Business |
County |
Accolade |
|
Access for All Tourism |
National Motor Museum, Beaulieu |
Hampshire |
|
Access for All Tourism |
Quay Quarters Cottages |
W Sussex |
|
Access for All Tourism |
The Calf Shed - Bardown Farm Holiday Cottages |
E Sussex |
|
Bed and Breakfast, Guest Accommodation of the Year |
Kester House |
E Sussex |
|
Bed and Breakfast, Guest Accommodation of the Year |
Molland Manor House |
Kent |
|
Best Tourism Experience |
Weber Grill Academy |
Oxfordshire |
|
Business Tourism |
Leith's at Beaulieu |
Hampshire |
|
Business Tourism |
Careys Manor & Senspa |
Hampshire |
|
Business Tourism |
Radisson Blu Edwardian Guildford |
Surrey |
|
Caravan Holiday Park and Holiday Village of the Year |
Bunn Leisure |
W Sussex |
|
Caravan Holiday Park and Holiday Village of the Year |
Hoburne Naish |
Hampshire |
|
Flavour of the South East |
Lainston House Hotel |
Hampshire |
|
Large Attraction of the Year |
Hawk Conservancy Trust |
Hampshire |
|
Large Attraction of the Year |
Blenheim Palace |
Oxfordshire |
|
Large Attraction of the Year |
Isle of Wight Steam Railway |
IOW |
|
Large Hotel/Townhouse of the Year |
Macdonald Windsor Hotel |
Berkshire |
|
Large Hotel/Townhouse of the Year |
Tylney Hall Hotel |
Hampshire |
|
Outstanding Customer Service |
Gary Kelly (Macdonald Windsor Hotel) |
Berkshire |
|
Outstanding Customer Service |
Rae Davis (Jurys Inn Brighton) |
E Sussex |
|
Outstanding Customer Service |
Sue West (Best Western Gatwick Moat House) |
Surrey |
|
Pub of the Year |
The Bull at Benenden |
Kent |
|
Pub of the Year |
The Cat Inn (GCP) |
W Sussex |
|
Self Catering and Serviced Apartments |
South Winchester Lodges |
Hampshire |
|
Self Catering and Serviced Apartments |
Chimney Farm Barns |
Oxfordshire |
|
Small Attraction of the Year |
Mapledurham Trust |
Berkshire |
|
Small Attraction of the Year |
Shepherd Neame |
Kent |
|
Small Attraction of the Year |
Go Ape Itchen Valley |
Hampshire |
|
Small Hotel/Townhouse of the Year |
Pelham House |
E Sussex |
|
Small Hotel/Townhouse of the Year |
Lamb Inn |
Oxfordshire |
|
Small Hotel/Townhouse of the Year |
The Bay Tree Hotel |
Oxfordshire |
|
Sustainable Tourism |
Portsmouth Marriott Hotel |
Hampshire |
|
Sustainable Tourism |
Holiday Inn Winchester |
Hampshire |
|
Sustainable Tourism |
Jury's Inn Brighton |
E Sussex |
|
Tourism Event of the Year |
Beaulieu International Autojumble |
Hampshire |
|
Tourist Information Service of the Year |
Guildford Tourist Information Centre |
Surrey |
|
Tourist Information Service of the Year |
Rye Tourist Information Centre |
E Sussex |
Highly Commended
|
Access for All Tourism |
Jury's Inn Brighton |
E Sussex |
|
Access for All Tourism |
Hawk Conservancy Trust |
Hampshire |
|
Best Tourism Experience |
Goodleaf Tree Climbing |
IOW |
|
Business Tourism |
Tylney Hall Hotel |
Hampshire |
|
Experience |
Denbies Wine Estate |
Surrey |
|
Flavour of the South East |
Radisson Blu Edwardian Guildford |
Surrey |
|
Flavour of the South East |
Juicy Juicy Ltd (Newington Nurseries) |
Oxfordshire |
|
Flavour of the South East |
Denbies Wine Estate |
Surrey |
|
Large Attraction of the Year |
Denbies Wine Estate |
Surrey |
|
Large Attraction of the Year |
Spinnaker Tower |
Hampshire |
|
Large Hotel |
Pendley Manor Hotel |
Buckinghamshire |
|
Large Hotel/Townhouse of the Year |
Oakley Court Hotel |
Berkshire |
|
Large Hotel/Townhouse of the Year |
Portsmouth Marriott Hotel |
Hampshire |
|
Outstanding Customer Service |
Amanda Bryett (Windsor Tourist Guides) |
Berkshire |
|
Outstanding Customer Service |
Arthur Clelland (Portsmouth Marriott Hotel) |
Hampshire |
|
Pub of the Year |
The Little Brown Jug (GCP) |
Kent |
|
Pub of the Year |
The Woolpack Inn (GCP) |
Kent |
|
Self Catering and Serviced Apartments |
Quay Quarters |
W Sussex |
|
Small Attraction of the Year |
Go Ape Bracknell |
Berkshire |
|
Sustainable Tourism |
Brookside Cottage |
IOW |
|
Tourism Event of the Year |
Shakespeare Festival |
Buckinghamshire |
|
Tourism Event of the Year |
Wallingford Food Festival 2012 |
Oxfordshire |
|
Tourism Event of the Year |
Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival |
E Sussex |
|
Tourist Information Service of the Year |
Burford Visitor Information Centre |
Oxfordshire |
|
Tourist Information Service of the Year |
Witney Tourist Information Centre |
Oxfordshire |
Outstanding Contribution to Tourism
Earl of March and Kinrara
