Judging
No matter where you are based in the country, your application will be judged against nationally-set standards, with the same scoring criteria and judging guidance for all core categories at local awards competitions.
VisitBritain/ Michael Cummins
Your online application will be scored and ranked against other local applicants in your category to determine a shortlist. All applicants will receive feedback on how to improve their application, even if they are not shortlisted.
Further rounds of judging, including judging visits with further feedback, may also form part of the judging process.
The overall winners of ‘core categories’ are automatically put forward for national judging. For competitions covering large areas, additional winners may also be eligible to progress.
National judging panels
VisitEngland appoints industry experts across several judging panels to determine the Gold, Silver and Bronze national winners for each category. Please note panel members are subject to change prior to panel meetings.
The following panel members are on the national judging panels for the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2022/23.
Serviced accommodation
The serviced accommodation judging panel experts judge the following categories: B&B and Guest House of the Year, Small Hotel of the Year and Large Hotel of the Year.
Non-serviced accommodation
The non-serviced accommodation judging panel experts judge the following categories: Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year, Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year and New Tourism Business of the Year.
Attractions and experiences
The attractions and experiences judging panel experts judge the following categories: Large Visitor Attraction of the Year, Small Visitor Attraction of the Year, Experience of the Year and the Unsung Hero Award.
Food and drink
The food and drink judging panel experts judge the following categories: Pub of the Year, Taste of England Award and the Resilience and Innovation Award.
Accessibility
The accessibility judging panel experts judge the Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award category.
Sustainability
The sustainability judging panel experts judge the Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award category.
Business events
The business events judging panel experts judge the Business Events Venue of the Year category.
