Blackpool, Wyre & Fylde businesses shortlisted in Lancashire Tourism Awards

A host of businesses from Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde have been shortlisted in the 2022 Lancashire Tourism Awards.

The awards are staged by Marketing Lancashire, the county’s tourist board and destination management organisation, with local recognition in a number of categories.

Christmas by the Sea has been shortlisted in the category of Large Event of the Year Award, while the British Country Music Festival is named a finalist in the Small Event of the Year Award.

They join the previous announced local finalists:

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award - Brickhouse Farm Holiday Cottages & Lakeside Hub, Hambleton; The Estuary Riverside Chalets, Hambleton; Fleetwood Beach Wheelchairs

Business Events Venue of the Year - Merlin Events, Blackpool; Winter Gardens Blackpool

Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year - Newton Hall Holiday Park, Blackpool; Stanley Villa Farm Fishing & Camping, Greenhalgh

Cultural Venue/Organisation Award - Winter Gardens Blackpool

Dog Friendly Business of the Year - Bella Vista Lodge, Blackpool; Mowbreck Holiday Park, Wesham

Experience of the Year - Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours; Blackpool Pleasure Beach ‘Walk The…’ Experiences

Large Hotel of the Year - Hampton by Hilton Blackpool

New Tourism Business of the Year - The Estuary Riverside Chalets, Hambleton

Resilience and Innovation Award - Winter Gardens Blackpool

Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year - Brickhouse Holiday Cottages, Hambleton

Visitor Attraction of the Year - The Blackpool Tower; The Flower Bowl Entertainment Centre, Brock

Wedding Venue of the Year - The Mount Pavilion, Fleetwood

In addition, Marketing Lancashire has announced that the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2022 will be held in the newly developed, state of the art purpose-built event space Blackpool Conference and Exhibition Centre on Tuesday 7 February 2023.  The ceremony will bring together 400 guests from across Lancashire’s leisure and hospitality industry as well as guests and stakeholders.

Rachel McQueen, Chief Executive of Marketing Lancashire commenting on this year’s awards, said: ‘’To see so many quality events returning after the last 2 years and entering the awards is true testament to the determination of the industry to bounce back and create incredible experiences for visitors and residents of the county.  If there was ever a good sign that Lancashire tourism is bouncing back, it is in the calibre and creativity of this year’s finalists in the Lancashire Tourism Awards

‘’The Conference and Exhibition Centre is the first major building development to happen on the Winter Gardens complex since the construction of the Opera House in 1939 and is one of the largest venues of its kind in the north of England. The level of investment which has gone into the facility, leading the way for even bigger conferences and exhibitions to take place right here in Lancashire is incredible and we are excited to be holding the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2022 there.

‘’Lancashire’s tourism and hospitality businesses are nothing short of remarkable in their resilience and innovation and we look forward to celebrating with all the finalists and our supporters at this stand-out event in the new year.’

Announcing their support as Destination Sponsor, VisitBlackpool, Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “We are delighted that the Lancashire Tourism Awards are coming back to Blackpool, the UK’s most popular seaside destination. For us, tourism is a billion-pound industry and one that supports tens of thousands of local jobs. I can’t think of a better place to celebrate the best that the county has to offer.

‘We look forward to welcoming guests to our new Conference and Exhibition Centre within the Winter Gardens – it will provide a magnificent setting to showcase business excellence.’

The finalists announced will now join finalists in 17 categories announced earlier in the year going through to the next stages of the competition which includes a presentation and interview with a panel of judges for all shortlisted entrants.