Record number enter awards (From The Northern Echo)

Record number enter awards

8:25am Thursday 2nd July 2009 in

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A RECORD number of North-East businesses have entered tourism awards as the sector enjoys increased visitor numbers.

Nearly 150 businesses have entered this year’s North-East England Tourism Awards, with more than half entering for the first time.

Award categories include outstanding customer service; business tourism of the year and the taste of North-East England.

The North-East’s tourism industry has bucked the national trend as the only area outside London to show an increase in visitor numbers last year.

Early figures for this year suggest the industry, which employs more than 60,000 people in the North-East and is worth £3.9bn to the local economy, is set for another good year.

In the Tees Valley it supports 11,000 jobs and brings in £542m.

All the regional award winners will go on to represent the North-East in the Enjoy England Awards for Excellence next year.

An independent panel of judges will shortlist and conduct mystery shopper- style visits over the summer.

The North-East England Tourism awards will be held on October 15 at The Hilton in Gateshead.