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VisitEngland Award Winners' PR Toolkit

Helping tourism businesses make the most of winning an award.

VisitBritain/Daniela Luquini

Photo of Gold Winners for Experience of the Year at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2023 - Serenity Farne Island Boat Tours (Representatives from Serenity Farne Island Boats Tours) - in front of the branded photo backdrop

Introduction

Huge congratulations on winning an Award for Excellence. As well as recognising the quality of your product, this win represents an PR opportunity — but only temporarily

And media coverage won’t magically ensue: you’ll have to be proactive and tell the right journalists why they should cover your business. 

This toolkit contains advice on how to:

Find contacts for the most useful editors, writers and influencers.

Identify the most effective publications, websites and podcasts.

Craft the perfect press release and print-worthy images.

Make your pitch stand out, and hit editors’ inboxes at the ideal time.

Use social media to communicate your win and find new followers.

Gain valuable coverage from influencers, bloggers and vloggers.

How the award winners’ PR toolkit can help you

Produced for those who are time-poor and not marketing professionals, this PR Toolkit advises you on how to secure and maximise the media coverage around your award win. It is split into four main sections covering who to contact, what exactly to say, how best to say it and when to say it. You can also read case studies from recent winners who have excelled in promoting their award. The final section focuses on your potentially working with social media influencers. 

Good luck in making the most of your fantastic award win! 

Chapter listings

VisitBritain/Daniela Luquini

Photo of Gold Award Winners for the Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2023 - Noah's Ark Zoo Farm (Representatives from Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, VisitEngland Director of HR and Professional Services Debra Lang, Relationship Director for Hospitality & Leisure at Corporate Banking Barclays Andy Mayne, Compere Alex Polizzi) - in front of the Hogwarts Express on stage

Chapter 1: Who to contact

Discover the UK’s many travel media outlets who may want to cover your win – and how to find the best editorial contact.

VisitBritain/DanielaLuquini

Guests chatting at the drinks reception for the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2023. Warner Bros. Studio Tour - The Making of Harry Potter, Hertfordshire.

Chapter 2: What to say

Expert advice for finding your ‘hook’, communicating your unique qualities and arranging media stays in return for coverage.

VisitBritain/DanielaLuquini

Photo of the Platform 9 ¾ set up with guests at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2023. Warner Bros. Studio Tour - The Making of Harry Potter, Hertfordshire.

Chapter 3: How to say it

How to craft the perfect press release, write engagingly and use social media to publicise your award win effectively.

VisitBritain/DanielaLuquini

Event Programme for the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2023. Warner Bros. Studio Tour - The Making of Harry Potter, Hertfordshire.

Chapter 4: When to make your approach

Timing is everything. Here’s how to work out a publication’s lead time, the best time to pitch and the delicate art of chasing.

Getty Images/Flashpop

Woman making heart shape with hands at music event.

Chapter 5: Working with influencers

Bloggers, vloggers and social media influencers can provide valuable coverage – here’s how best to work with them.

Full award winners’ PR toolkit

Read the PR toolkit in full, or scroll up to browse each individual chapter.

Award winners pr toolkit 2023 accessible web version

Download (46.99 KB)

Discover more

Meet the expert judges behind each national award, and learn more about the decision-making process.

VisitBritain/Michael Cummins

A classic car drives past a pub covered with ivy leaves
VisitEngland

From gin distilleries to ghost walks, historic homes to big attractions, our awards recognise the best of England's tourism.

The 25

View of a bedroom at The 25 Boutique B&B, Devon with a spiky light fitting and the head of a zebra in the centre of a pair of gold wings hung above the bed. Gold winner of the B&B and Guest House of the Year in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2022
VisitEngland

Find answers to common queries about the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence – from applications to the awards ceremony.

VisitBritain/DanielaLuquini

Group Shot of the finalists at the Warner Bros Studios for the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2023—Warner Bros. Studio Tour - The Making of Harry Potter, Hertfordshire.
VisitEngland