Awards showcase best in tourism

The seventh edition of the Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards (REYTA) saw record entries across the categories with more than 500 people attending the evening on March 17.

The Remarkable Bed and Breakfast was awarded to The Wold Cottage at Wold Newton with judges finding the business to be “outstanding in every way”.

The Remarkable Conference and Meeting Venue was awarded to The Spa Bridlington. The judges said: “This venue offers something special. It is meticulously maintained and well managed with friendly helpful staff.”

Two Walkington businesses were awarded for their service to tourism in East Yorkshire with Broadgate Farm Cottages and Folly Lake Cafe being named winners of the Self Catering Provider and Remarkable Cuppa categories respectively.

Beverley Food Festival fought off competition from Driffield Show and Veterans Weekend in Hull to claim the Remarkable Large Tourism Event award. The judging panel said: “Beverley Food Festival’s reputation as a celebration of local food with a commitment to excellence is firmly established. Beginning in 2006 with 16 stalls it now has 110 as well as a Chefs’ Food Theatre Marquee. It attracts many outside visitors that often stay overnight and make a weekend of it to enjoy Beverley and its surroundings.”

Other winners on the night included The Black Horse in Little Weighton who picked up the Remarkable Pub Award, Beverley Tickton Grange with Remarkable Hotel Accommodation while RSPB Bempton Cliffs were named joint winners of the Remarkable Visitor Attraction/Experience.

Winners of the awards at the event, organised by Visit Hull and East Yorkshire (VHEY), were presented with unique awards created by ceramics students at Hull College.

“The REYTAs both recognise and celebrate those businesses and individuals that work so hard to make our tourism industry in Hull & East Yorkshire the force that it is today,” said Andy Gray, tourism manager of Visit Hull and East Yorkshire. “These awards allow us to showcase all that is remarkable about tourism in Hull and East Yorkshire and we certainly have plenty to celebrate.

“The quality of our entries this year has been incredible. The bar has definitely been raised which can only be good for Hull and East Yorkshire as we strive to compete in a very competitive marketplace and prepare for the City of Culture and 2017.”

Councillor Jane Evison, cabinet portfolio holder for economic investment and tourism at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: "This year's Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards (REYTAs) was a fantastic event and a great advertisement for our area as a must-see visitor destination.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate the winners across all the categories; these awards are a fitting tribute to your hard work and dedication.

"I'd also like to thank all those who were shortlisted. Being a finalist at the REYTAs is a great achievement and demonstrates the high standard of businesses we have operating within our tourism industry."

THE RESULTS

Remarkable Bed and Breakfast: The Wold Cottage, Wold Newton.

Remarkable Taste of East Yorkshire: Great Newsome Brewery, South Frodingham.

Highly Commended: The Yorkshire Wagyu Company, Tibthorpe.

Remarkable Holiday Park/Holiday Village: Burton Constable Holiday Park & Arboretum.

Remarkable Newcomer: Boxtree House Boutique B&B, North Newbald.

Highly commended: Cocoa Chocolatier & Patisserie, Hull.

Remarkable Hotel Accommodation: Beverley Tickton Grange.

Remarkable Visitor Attraction/Experience: RSPB Bempton Cliffs and Hull Truck Theatre (joint winners).

Remarkable Self Catering Provider: Broadgate Farm Cottages, Walkington.

Remarkable Small Tourism Event (under 20,000 visitors): Hull Trinity Festival.

Remarkable Cuppa: Folly Lake Cafe, Walkington.

Remarkable Conference and Meeting Venue: The Spa, Bridlington.

Remarkable Pub: The Black Horse, Little Weighton.

Highly commended: The Minerva, Hull.

Remarkable Restaurant of the Year, 1884 Wine & Tapas Bar, Hull.

Remarkable Large Tourism Event (over 20,000 visitors): Beverley Food Festival.

Remarkable East Yorkshire Passion Award: Paul Schofield, Hull tour guide.