Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards ceremony goes digital for 2020

It’s one of the most eagerly-anticipated events of the year but sadly became one of the first major events postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Now, the excitement of the annual Hull and East Yorkshire tourism “Oscars” is being transferred online with a virtual awards ceremony.

The Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards, the REYTAs, go digital in a week’s time (Wednesday, 6 May), streaming live from the Visit Hull and East Yorkshire (VHEY) Facebook page – www.facebook.com/VisitHullandEastYorkshire – from 8pm. It can also be viewed via VHEY’s YouTube channel.

A total of 15 awards recognising the region’s best, brightest, most successful and innovative tourism businesses will be announced and the 78 businesses and attractions short-listed through to the finals will be showcased with the screening of specially-commissioned videos during the hour-long show.

Councillor Shaun Horton, cabinet portfolio holder for tourism, culture and leisure at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said it was “more important than ever during these challenging times to celebrate all that’s wonderful about Hull and East Yorkshire”.

He continued: “This is an opportunity to turn a spotlight on a huge range of successful businesses which, no doubt, can look forward to picking up plenty of new visitors eager to get out and about again in the hopefully not-too-distant future.”

Five hundred guests were due to attend this year’s glittering awards ceremony, originally scheduled to take place at Bridlington Spa on 19 March, but the event was postponed as the nation went into lockdown. Now, however, it’s hoped many more will join the celebrations planned online.

Councillor Horton said: “Hopefully the evening will provide an opportunity to put some smiles on faces and celebrate success and we invite everyone to join us and embrace the spirit of the occasion.

“All of the VHEY team will be dressed up in their party dresses and suits, with our hair and make-up done and our improvised remarkable meals on order. We hope you’ll dress up and join in, too, using video conferencing to watch with family, friends and colleagues.”

Radio Humberside presenter Blair Jacobs will host the evening, filmed directly from his front room, and the event will follow as much as possible the format of what was planned for Bridlington Spa.

“There will even be a break to recharge your glasses part-way through and we’d love to see your pictures and clips of you enjoying the show,” said Councillor Horton.

VHEY will be posting updates on the Facebook event “Virtual Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards” in the lead up to the day. You can find out more about the awards and join in the discussion online using the hashtag #REYTA2020.

Councillor Dave Craker, portfolio holder for tourism and leisure at Hull City Council, said: “The REYTAs are a fantastic annual celebration of our region’s tourism offer and, like all of us, I’m immensely disappointed that we are unable to come together to celebrate them in the usual fashion this year. However, I’m delighted that the awards are still taking place so that we can recognise some of our area’s finest businesses and attractions.”

He said success in next week’s finals is even more important as this year the REYTAs have aligned even more closely with VisitEngland and have used a shared application process. This means that in most of the REYTA categories, winners will automatically be entered into the national awards without any further application.

VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said the awards play a key role in the English tourism industry.

“They champion excellence and, importantly, raise the profile of the area,” said Andrew.

“As the tourism industry navigates these unprecedented times, it is important that the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence and its feeder competitions continue and recognise those businesses that deliver amazing experiences for visitors.”

The full list of finalists bidding for an award next week are as follows:

Remarkable Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award

Broadgate Farm Cottages, Walkington

Hull Truck Theatre

Hull Minster

Remarkable B&B and Guest House of the Year

The Wold Cottage, Wold Newton

The Toll Cottage, Cottingham

Newbegin House, Beverley

Wolds Village, Bainton

Remarkable Business Events Venue of the Year

Hallmark Hotel, North Ferriby

Bonus Arena, Hull

Mercure Hull Grange Park Hotel, Willerby

Tigers Events at the KCOM Stadium, Hull

Bishop Burton College

DoubleTree by Hilton, Hull

Remarkable Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year

Sand le Mer, Tunstall

Wolds Edge Holiday Lodges, Bishop Wilton

South Cliff Holiday Park, Bridlington

Manor Farm Camping, Woodmansey

Butt Farm Caravan & Campsite, Beverley

Remarkable Cuppa

The Granary at Rustic Riddle, Ulrome

Drewtons Farm Shop and Restaurant, South Cave

The Balloon Tree Farmshop & Cafe, Gate Helmsley

Wolds Village, Bainton

White Rabbit Chocolatiers, Beverley

Remarkable Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award

Broadgate Farm Cottages, Walkington

William’s Den, North Cave

Bridlington Animal Park

Yorkshire Water Tophill Low Nature Reserve, near Watton

Remarkable Experience of the Year

Hotham’s Gin School, Hull

What Was Here? mobile app, Beverley

Atom Brewing Co, Hull

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust at Spurn Point

Oresome Jewellery, Hull

Yorkshire Wolds Way National Trail

Remarkable Hotel of the Year

Hallmark Hotel, North Ferriby

Saltmarshe Hall, Saltmarshe, near Howden

Mercure Hull Grange Park Hotel, Willerby

DoubleTree by Hilton, Hull

Loftsome Bridge Hotel, Wressle

Cave Castle Hotel & Country Club, South Cave

Village Hotel, Hull

Remarkable Local Producer Award

Hotham’s Distillery, Hull

Wold Top Brewery, Hunmanby

Cherry View Milk, Cherry Burton

Atom Brewing Co, Hull

Soanes Poultry, Middleton on the Wolds

Humber Street Distillery Co, Hull

Remarkable New Tourism Business Award

Bonus Arena, Hull

Wolds Way Holiday Cottages, Cottingham

Rupert & Darwin, Hull

The Granary at Rustic Riddle, Ulrome

What Was Here? mobile app, Beverley

Bridlington Escape

Remarkable Pub of the Year

The Lion and Key, Hull

The Ship Inn, Sewerby

Atom Brewing Co @ The Corn Exchange, Hull

The Minerva, Hull

The Old House, Hull

Remarkable Restaurant Award

Rustics, Bridlington

Rupert & Darwin, Hull

Parisi Restaurant, Ulrome

Ambiente Tapas, Hull

Tapasya @ Marina, Hull

Humber Fish Co, Hull

Remarkable Self Catering Accommodation of the Year

Broadgate Farm Cottages, Walkington

Wolds Edge Holiday Lodges, Bishop Wilton

Grange Farm Cottages, Wressle

Wolds Way Holiday Cottages, Cottingham

North Kingsfield Holiday Cottages, Bridlington

Bessingby Mews Holiday Cottages, Bridlington

Remarkable Tourism Event of the Year

Freedom Festival, Hull

Pride in Hull, Hull

Tribfest, Sledmere

Humber Street Sesh, Hull

Flamborough Fire Festival

Remarkable Visitor Attraction of the Year

William’s Den, North Cave

Sewerby Hall and Gardens

Bridlington Escape

Sledmere House

The Virtual remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards will be streamed live on the Visit Hull and East Yorkshire Facebook page – www.facebook.com/VisitHullandEastYorkshire ­– as well as VHEY’s YouTube channel from 8pm on Wednesday, 6 May.