Warwickshire tourism stars shine on awards night
The Royal Shakespeare Company and The MAD Museum were among Warwickshire’s winners at a major awards ceremony to celebrate the region’s finest in culture and tourism.
The inaugural Coventry and Warwickshire Tourism and Culture Awards was organised by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and Quidem, which owns Touch FM stations and Rugby FM, and was hosted at the Ricoh Arena.
The event was supported by Warwickshire County Council along with Coventry City Council and the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership.
The Royal Shakespeare Company (pictured) was one of three winners of a special global icon award, along with the Ricoh Arena and Coventry Cathedral.
Avonlea Guest House in Stratford-upon-Avon won the award for best guest house.
The Cross in Kenilworth was honoured with the best restaurant award, the Merchants Inn in Rugby won best pub while the business tourism award was handed to Woodland Grange Meeting and Conference Centre in Leamington Spa.
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust also won the customer service prize. The bright idea prize went to The Mad Museum in Stratford-upon-Avon while the culture award was presented to both the RSC and Warwick Arts Centre’s Mead Gallery.
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Leader of Warwickshire County Council, said: “Our arts, culture, heritage and leisure destinations create a vibrant tourism economy, which is the envy of many.
“We are proud to support the Coventry and Warwickshire Tourism and Culture Awards and celebrate the success of this vital local industry.”
Lady Cobham, the chair of VisitEngland, was the special guest on the night.
She said: “Coventry and Warwickshire is home to an outstanding collection of arts, theatre, music and cultural venues. Visitors can delve into history and heritage that would rival any destination, from museums to grand castles, cathedrals, abbeys and stately homes, exploring remnants of Roman, Elizabethan or Victorian eras.”
A recent Economic Impact Analysis report for 2014 showed total business turnover related to tourism in Warwickshire was worth over £1 billion.