Destination Harrogate, the association of the leading hotels of the town, has this week launched the 2012 Harrogate Hospitality and Tourism Awards following the outstanding success of these new awards during the last three years. The awards celebrate and reward outstanding individuals and teams who truly represent Harrogate as one of the country’s leading destinations for both business and leisure tourism.
As a not-for-profit award ceremony, the organisers have in the last three years ploughed any surpluses back into local tourism related fund-raising projects and Simon Cotton, one of the main organisers of the awards, handed over a cheque for £1,000 to Councillor John Fox of the Christmas Lights appeal to help towards paying for the fantastic display of lighting in Harrogate town centre.
Mr Cotton said:
We are happy to be able to put some funds back in to this initiative, Christmas is a very important trading month for all the businesses in Harrogate but particularly those hotels, bars and restaurants in the tourism industry. The Harrogate Hospitality & Tourism Awards are now firmly established by popular demand from all corners of the industry, participants, and business leaders who all depend heavily on a high level of service delivery.
Organised by Destination Harrogate, an association of 12 leading hotels in the town, these awards celebrate and reward outstanding individuals and teams who truly represent Harrogate as one of the country’s leading destinations for both business and leisure tourism.
Harrogate Hospitality Awards 2011 (credits below)
David Ritson, Chair of Destination Harrogate added:
Harrogate is a successful, vibrant, and desirable location in which to both live and work, and much of its success is due to the millions of pounds generated through tourism. To sustain the high level of service our visitors experience we need the very best people providing their very best day in and day out. These awards are recognition of that commitment and congratulate those people who set a benchmark across the town for others to emulate.
The nine categories for this year are:
- Waiter/Waitress of the Year: Sponsor, Sunlight Textile Services
- Bar Person of the Year: Sponsor, Harrogate Spa Water
- Chef of the Year. Sponsor, Sykes House Farm
- Team of the Year. Sponsor, Platinum Print
- Harrogate Ambassador. Sponsor, Harrogate Chamber of Trade & Commerce
- Newcomer of the Year. Sponsor, Harrogate College
- Unsung Hero. Sponsor, Destination Harrogate
- Best Achievement of the Year. Sponsor, Blueline Taxis
- Outstanding Customer Service. Sponsor, Leeds Bradford Int. Airport
If you know someone who deserves that special recognition for their commitment and dedication in any of the above categories then vote for them either online at www.destinationharrogate.co.uk, or post an entry form at the Tourist Information Centre (TIC) on Crescent Gardens. You’ll find voting forms throughout the town in hotels, bars, restaurants, TIC, the library, and other public places.
Closing date for entries is 31st March 2012. After this date a panel of judges will create a shortlist of four from each category who will be invited to attend a prestigious Gala Dinner at the Royal Hall on 11th June 2012 where the winners will be announced on the night.
For further information about the awards scheme contact Simon Cotton, General Manager, Cedar Court Hotel, tel 01423 858585 or David Ritson, General Manager, Old Swan Hotel on 01423 500055.
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Last years winners, clockwise from top centre on photograph above:-
Outstanding Customer Service sponsored by Leeds Bradford International Airport
- Chris Weatherald, The Old Swan Hotel
Best Achievement of the Year sponsored by Blueline Taxis
- Golden Oldies Cricket Tournament (Picture – Sir Thomas Ingilby)
Newcomer of the Year sponsored by Harrogate College
- Ray Kitchen, The Yorkshire Hotel
Waiter/Waitress of the Year sponsored by Sunlight Textile Services
- Sandra Piscopo, Restaurant Bar & Grill
Bar Person of the Year sponsored by Harrogate Spa Water
- Craig Drummond, Montey’s Bar
Team of the Year sponsored by Platinum Print
- Crusade Exhibition Services
Unsung Hero of the Year sponsored by Destination Harrogate
- Derrick Fox, Royal Baths Building
Chef of the Year sponsored by Sykes House Farm
- Ian King, Pavilions of Harrogate
Harrogate Ambassador of the Year sponsored by Harrogate Chamber of Trade & Commerce
- Sharon Canavar (Centre)
