THE finalists of the highly-anticipated Cumbria Tourism Awards 2024 have been officially revealed, highlighting the diverse and innovative businesses which exemplify the very best of the county’s vibrant visitor economy.

It’s a landmark year for the awards, which coincide with Cumbria Tourism’s 50th anniversary and give the county’s world-class tourism operators the chance to share their stand-out success stories and generate positive publicity.

With 16 categories spanning every type of tourism business, the innovators featured in the shortlist continue to excel against a challenging backdrop of rising costs and ongoing recruitment issues regionally and nationally.

Among the finalists are Borrowdale Hotel, North Lakes Hotel and Spa and The Swan Hotel & Spa at Newby Bridge in the Large Hotel of the Year category, while the competitors for Small Hotel of the Year are: Crooklands Hotel, Queens Head Troutbeck, The Royal Oak – Borrowdale, and The Yan at Broadrayne.

Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year features Dandelion & Hoglet Holiday Cottages at Dalston, the Hutton John Estate Penrith and Netherby Hall.

Meanwhile, Lake District Wildlife Park at Bassenthwaite, Lakeland Segway at Cartmel and Mountain Goat Tours are all in the running for Experience of the Year. The Makers and Producers Award sees Ulverston’s Shed One competing alongside Great Corby Brewhouse, Hawkshead Relish and Lakes Ice Cream.

Among the other accolades on offer are the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award, the New Tourism Business Award, and the Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award. There are also two ‘Taste of Cumbria’ awards: for fine dining and casual dining.

The finalists now face another round of judging, including a series of mystery shopping visits, before the ultimate winners are selected ahead of a VIP awards ceremony on Tuesday, July 2 at the Castle Green Hotel, Kendal. The evening will be hosted by BBC Radio Cumbria Breakfast presenter Mike Zeller.

Managing director of Cumbria Tourism, Gill Haigh, said: “Our 2024 finalists are a fantastic mix of businesses from across the county who are demonstrating consistently high quality, service and care to our visitors.

"As 2024 is Cumbria Tourism’s milestone 50th anniversary year, it’s an extra-special time to celebrate individual businesses, but our wider world-class destination too.

"Eligible winners in many of the categories will also automatically feed into the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2025. The Cumbria Tourism Awards are only possible thanks to ticket sales and the generosity of all the category sponsors, along with headline sponsor Electricity North West, Lawson Design, EWGA Wines, Mr & Mrs Jones Events and the Castle Green Hotel.

For the full shortlist, visit: www.cumbriatourism.org/awards