THE final countdown is on for tourism and hospitality businesses to enter the Cumbria Tourism Awards 2024, with entries closing this Friday, March 1 at 5pm. 

The awards give the county’s tourism operators the chance to share their stand-out success stories on the big stage and generate huge amounts of positive PR and publicity for their businesses.

Widely seen as the Oscars of the county’s tourism calendar, it’s a landmark year for the 2024 awards, which also coincide with Cumbria Tourism’s 50th anniversary.

With an emphasis on quality customer service and innovation, businesses have the chance to enter one or more of the 16 categories.

It’s an opportunity for a wide range of organisations to shout about their achievements from the last 12 months, from restaurants, guesthouses and B&Bs to self-catering accommodation, hotels, pubs and visitor attractions/experiences.

That includes recognising people of all ages who are making their mark on an increasingly diverse and innovative tourism sector. One of the more-recently added categories is the Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award, which was won by Bassenthwaite Lake Station in 2023. 

At the time, co-owner Diana Parums commented: “This award is a culmination of all the work we’ve put in. It is the most special award it could have been because we are so welcoming to everyone. It just demonstrates that other people think so too!”

Managing director of Cumbria Tourism, Gill Haigh, said: “Our tourism businesses offer the highest quality to visitors and we want to hear from the full variety of local tourism businesses, makers and producers, as well as individual nominees for the Unsung Hero Award.

“The Cumbria Tourism Awards are a high-profile opportunity to showcase your successes, achievements and approach to excellence in your products, customer service, welcome, marketing and sustainable tourism practices.

"The whole process of entering the Cumbria Tourism Awards can also help gather invaluable feedback and insights for a business. Each year applicants tell us it’s a really constructive process, with thorough feedback which genuinely supports them and builds pride for the whole team.”

The finalists will be selected by an independent panel of industry experts, giving them an opportunity to walk the red carpet at a VIP awards ceremony on Tuesday, July 2 at the Castle Green Hotel, Kendal.

Eligible winners in many of the categories will also automatically feed into the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2025.

Full details on how to enter can be found at cumbriatourism.org/awards.

Businesses do not need to be a member of Cumbria Tourism to apply. The Cumbria Tourism Awards are organised on a not for profit basis and Cumbria Tourism is grateful to all of its sponsors for making the competition possible.