How it works

We know every minute is precious for tourism businesses, so we’ve made applying to your local tourism awards quick and easy.

sheep in a field with a house in the background

Alex Hare

Complete an application for your local competition using the online portal. All you have to do is answer four* key questions and provide links to your online presence and customer reviews.

Each competition has its own opening and closing dates throughout the year – find your local competition to check when it is open for applications.

First you will need to select one or more categories to apply to. There are two types of categories:

‘Local categories’ - these are only offered by the local competition meaning that recognition is only available at a local level.
‘Core categories’ - these are the categories where overall winners will be put forward to national judging. These categories use an application form that is consistent across all local competitions. For competitions covering large areas, additional winners may also be eligible to progress.

Eligible winners will be automatically forwarded by your local competition, following the announcement of their winners.

In April each eligible business will be contacted to confirm the process for the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence. Businesses are then judged within their category via the national judging process, which is completed in April.

Finalists are invited to the prestigious VisitEngland Awards for Excellence Awards event, where the national winners will be announced.

Apply now!

*most of the core categories have four key questions, apart from the Resilience and Innovation Award and the Unsung Hero Award. Local-only categories may have fewer or more questions.