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Frequently asked questions

What are the Lancashire Tourism Awards?
The awards celebrate excellence across a wide range of visitor economy businesses, revealing the brightest and best stars working in Lancashire tourism today, with many of the county’s winners then going on to represent Lancashire at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.

Who is organising the Lancashire Tourism Awards?
Marketing Lancashire, the Local Visitor Economy Partnership for Lancashire, organises the Lancashire Tourism Awards.  The awards showcase the county’s visitor economy businesses that are championed through the Visit Lancashire channels and campaigns, created and managed by Marketing Lancashire in partnership with VisitEngland.

Sponsorship:

Are there sponsorship opportunities?
There are a variety of sponsorship opportunities for businesses wishing to raise their profile through this prestigious event or that are keen to meet, network and establish new partnerships with the tourism sector businesses. For more information and to discuss sponsorship opportunities please contact Maria Moriarty Eames, [email protected], 07525 589 959

Entry process:

What are the benefits of entering the Awards?
This is a great opportunity for you and your business to be recognised and rewarded.  A prestigious accolade, past winners have enjoyed extensive media coverage in the local, regional and trade press and radio.  In 2018 our social media channels and print media coverage had a reach of almost 30 million.  In addition, winners are invited to use the winner’s logo on all marketing material.  The awards present a great opportunity to showcase your business and network with fellow professionals.

Who can enter?
It is free to enter.  As long as you meet the criteria for the category or categories you are entering and operate within Lancashire then your entry is very much encouraged.  You do not have to be a Visit Lancashire partner to enter any of the award categories.

What are the rules for applicants?
The applicant must meet all the criteria listed for the category they are applying for.
The organisers reserve the right to amend or remove any award category.
The organisers reserve the right to re-assign an entry to another category.
Finalists are required to comply and attend the judging requirements for the category they enter.
Terms and conditions apply.

When do the awards open for entry?
Applicants can enter from Thursday 30 May 2024.

How do I enter?
Applications are made online.  You can register on the system, save your form and return to it later if required (prior to the closing date).

What are the terms and conditions of entry?
Terms and Conditions of entry can be found here

When is the closing date for entries?
Friday 12 July, 23:59  for all categories, unless listed below:
Friday 11 October, 23:59 for Small Event Award, Large Event Award and Hospitality & Tourism Student Award applications only.

What are the award categories?
There are 21 individual categories.

How many categories can I enter?
You may enter as many awards as you wish, providing you meet the criteria of all categories you are entering.

Is there any support to help me complete the award application form?
In the first instance, take a look at the tips for applicants section of the website.  Advice and guidance is always on hand from the team to help you complete your application.  We can clarify what is being asked of you in each section/question of the form.

To view/download the application forms as word documents – click here.

How long will it usually take to complete an entry form?
We anticipate that it could take from 45 minutes to an hour to complete the entry form, once all relevant information has been sourced that will assist with answering the questions.

Do I have to stick to the word count?
Yes, please.  Any significant breaches of the word count may affect your chances of being shortlisted.

Who will see information that I submit? Is it private and confidential?
Only Marketing Lancashire personnel and the judging panel, who will each have signed a non-disclosure agreement, will have sight of the entry forms.  Marketing Lancashire will forward contact details of the winners in categories that progress to the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2024 for national shortlisting.  Please note that the judges’ comments on the successful entry may be referred to at the awards ceremony.

Judging:

How are the Lancashire Tourism Awards judged?
An application form will be completed by each entrant and submitted online.  All applications will be checked by Marketing Lancashire for eligibility, against the required criteria for each category.  Each shortlisted business will be invited to an interview with the judging panel to discuss their application further.

Finalists in certain categories will also receive a mystery visit and the visit report from which will be considered by the judges as part of the judging process in these categories (see individual criteria).  The judges will then select a winner for each category based on their findings.

Please note: where appropriate, judges reserve the right to consult online review websites, the applicant’s own website and online presence (including social media channels) as part of the wider judging process.

When will the finalists be announced?
Week commencing 5 August 2024.
Week commencing 21 October 2024 for Small Event Award, Large Event Award and Hospitality & Tourism Student Award categories only.

Who will be on the judging panel?
The Lancashire Tourism Awards are judged by panels made up of independent experts and sponsors.

Where and when will the judging interviews take place?
The judging will take place on Tuesday 12 November & Wednesday 13 November 2024.  Please note: each panel will sit for one day only.  The interviews will take place at Burnley Football Club.

When will the winners be announced?
Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in February 2025.  There will be no advance notification.

Awards presentation/ceremony:

Will I be expected to attend the awards ceremony if I am shortlisted?
If you are shortlisted it is expected that your business will be represented at the event.  Winners will be asked to participate in publicity, which may include photography, quotes for the press and radio interviews.  Tickets for the Lancashire Tourism Awards are always very keenly priced and income from these goes towards the overall cost of the event, which also requires significant sponsorship to take place.

How do I buy tickets for the event?
Tickets will be available to purchase nearer the date of the event.

What is the dress code for the evening?
Evening wear.

What if I have specific dietary requirements?
Once a ticket booking has been made details of how to notify us of any dietary requirements will be sent directly to you.

What will the winners receive?
All award winners will receive a prestigious trophy.  In addition, winners will be included in all post-event publicity and receive a logo for use on their stationery, brochures and website as appropriate.  There is of course the kudos attached to winning such an award which can also provide a fantastic boost to tourism and hospitality teams.  Winners are also referred to during the year in Marketing Lancashire/Visit Lancashire campaigns and publications.  Some category winners will be invited to represent Lancashire in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence competition for 2025.