Peak District and Derbyshire businesses reach finals of national VisitEngland Awards for excellence
Two tourism businesses in the Peak District and Derbyshire have been shortlisted for national glory in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2020 where they will compete for the most coveted accolade in English tourism.
Landal Darwin Forest in Matlock and Hoe Grange Holidays in Brassington have reached the national finals after winning gold at the Peak District & Derbyshire Tourism Awards 2020, which were organised by Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire and were held at the University of Derby’s Buxton campus, the Devonshire Dome, on 5 March.
Landal Darwin Forest has been shortlisted for Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year, while Hoe Grange Holidays is hoping to win the Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award.
The VisitEngland Awards for Excellence champion the very best of the country’s tourism industry, celebrating quality, innovation and best practice. This year, the programme aligned with 18 local competitions around the country, with winners automatically put forward for the national awards.
Following a rigorous judging process, three national finalists for each of the 15 core categories were then chosen by hand-picked tourism industry experts.
The winners will be announced at an online event which will be streamed live at VisitEngland.org on Monday 17 August.
Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire said: “It’s a tremendous achievement to be shortlisted for these prestigious national awards particularly during such a challenging year for all in this hardworking sector.
“The Peak District and Derbyshire is fortunate to have many dedicated, passionate and innovative tourism businesses and the fact we have two businesses shortlisted for national recognition is a timely reminder of the value and sheer quality of our tourism offer.
“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Landal Darwin Forest and Hoe Grange Holidays and wish them good luck for the finals!”
Lyndsey Grayson, Joint Managing Director of Landal Darwin Forest said: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for a VisitEngland Award for Excellence. Our luxury lodges are located in the heart of Derbyshire and this makes us an ideal place from which to explore the beautiful Peak District National Park.
“We’re very proud to work closely with Visit Peak District & Derbyshire and many local businesses to showcase the wide range of attractions that tourists can enjoy in the area. Our mission statement is to ‘delight every guest so they wish to return’ and it’s testament to our fantastic team that many families choose to return year after year.”
David and Felicity Brown, owners of Hoe Grange Holidays, said: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for these prestigious national awards which recognises our efforts to minimise the environmental impact on our special Peak District landscape, and our wider commitment to ethical purchasing and supporting local businesses.”
Tourism is worth £2.3 billion to the Peak District and Derbyshire economy, supporting 30,000 jobs and boosting economic growth.
