The Cumbria Tourism Awards 2023, a prestigious event that recognizes high-achieving tourism businesses, recently announced its winners at a special ceremony held at the Castle Green Hotel in Kendal.
The awards, which celebrate the best of Cumbria’s vibrant tourism economy, saw businesses offering exceptional quality, service, and care to visitors being honored. These businesses contribute significantly to making Cumbria an incredible place to live, work, study, and visit.
Among the winners, Hillcroft Park in Pooley Bridge stood out, bagging the Camping, Glamping, and Holiday Park of the Year award. This award, sponsored by Burnetts, is a testament to the park’s commitment to providing a top-notch experience for its visitors, according to Visit Eden.
Another notable winner was Ben McGregor from Lake District Estates, who received the Sheila Hensman Unsung Hero Award for his invaluable contributions to the industry.
The Taste of Cumbria Award, sponsored by Lamont Pridmore, was won by Allium at Askham Hall, further highlighting the diverse range of businesses that contribute to Cumbria’s tourism sector.
The majority of these winners will go forward to represent Cumbria at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in 2024, further elevating the county’s profile on a national level.
The Bernard Gooch Award for ‘Cumbria’s Tourism Personality of the Year’, the highest award given by the industry for lifelong services to tourism, was awarded jointly to Peter and Iona Frost-Pennington of Muncaster Castle and Gardens.
The couple’s immense passion for Cumbria, particularly the Western Lake District and Coast, and their commitment to delivering many tourism projects domestically and internationally, earned them this recognition.
The Cumbria Tourism Awards are organized on a ‘not for profit’ basis, and the designated charity for 2023 was the mental health charity Growing Well.
The event was made possible thanks to the support of its sponsors, including headline sponsor United Utilities and individual category sponsors such as Aqua Pura, Burnetts, Christie & Co, Colliers, Cumberland Council, Dodd & Co, H&H Reeds, Lake District National Park, Lamont Pridmore, Napthens, The Cumberland, Thomson Hayton Winkley, and Westmorland & Furness Council.
The Cumbria Tourism Awards serve as a testament to the resilience and innovation of the tourism industry in Cumbria. The winners of these awards not only contribute to the local economy but also enhance the visitor experience, making Cumbria a must-visit destination for tourists.
For more information about the Cumbria Tourism Awards or to sponsor the 2024 Awards, contact the Cumbria Tourism Awards team at 01539 822222.