Lancashire Tourism Awards come to Blackburn

31st July 2013

Tourism chiefs’ prayers were answered when they looked around for inspiration for a new venue for a top awards evening.

They found the perfect place – Blackburn Cathedral!

The magnificent cathedral will play host to the Lancashire Tourism awards on November 7.

Organisers Marketing Lancashire revealed the details today – and also unveiled a guest presenter for the evening in the shape of journalist and travel expert Simon Calder.

Prizes are up for grabs in 20 different categories in four sectors, and tickets are sponsorship packages are now being launched by organisers.

Around 400 people are expected to attend the awards night at the cathedral.

Lancashire attracts more than 62 million visitors each year, bringing in a total of £3.4bn.

Ruth Connor, chief executive of Marketing Lancashire, said: “The cathedral hasn’t hosted a big corporate event before so it‘s a first for them. Blackburn is developing a cathedral quarter with a hotel, shopping, etc, so this event is a fantastic opportunity for people to see first hand what’s being developed in the area.”

The awards are now in their 10th year and will attract a wide range of people from company bosses to small business owners.

Categories include the holiday park award, B&B award, best conference venue, the tourism pub award, small and large visitor attractions and more.

Simon Calder, the Independent’s tourism editor and well-known TV pundit, will host the awards night. Tickets are available now, with an “early bird” discount on offer. The awards come as Lancashire is already enjoying a bumper summer following the current heatwave.

Ruth said: “The hot weather is great for domestic tourism. In places like Blackpool, day trips have seen great growth.

“When people see it’s a beautiful day, they think of setting off for the seaside.

“It’s the same story in the Ribble Valley and right across the county – the nice weather has been fantastic for the economy.”

For full details visit www.
lancashiretourismawards.co.uk ,or call 01772 426465.