Vote in Yorkshire tourism awards

By [enewtonsyms]

THE shortlist for East Yorkshire's first ever Real Yorkshire Tourism Awards (RYTAs) has been revealed.

Tourism is worth £615m to Hull and the East Riding economy each year.

Now the venues, attractions and people who have helped put our region on the map are set to be honoured.

The awards have been organised by Visit Hull and East Yorkshire (VHEY), which received hundreds of entries from local cafes, restaurants, guesthouses and attractions.

Now, after hours of deliberation, the shortlist has been announced.

The finalists will be assessed by a panel of independent judges, except for those in two categories.

Janet Reuben, chief executive of VHEY, said: "There has been an excellent response to the RYTAs from across the whole region.

"The quality and variety of the businesses that have been shortlisted for the awards represents the strength of the tourism industry in Hull and East Yorkshire."

As the official media sponsor of the awards, the Mail is giving its readers the chance to decide who deserves the title of East Yorkshire's Real Cuppa and Real Smile.

To cast your vote, visit www.ryta.co.uk or post your vote to RYTA, Hull and East Riding Mail Reader Nominations, Wykeland House, 47 Queen Street, Hull, HU1 1UU.

Other sponsors of the awards are Welcome to Yorkshire, The Deep, deliciouslyorkshire, First Hull Trains Business Travel, P&O Ferries, Kingston Communications, Princes Quay and the Moffat Centre for Travel and Tourism Business Development at Glasgow Caledonian University.

The winners will be announced in a glitzy award ceremony hosted by Lazaat in Cottingham on March 25.

Janet added: "Congratulations and good luck to everyone who has made the shortlist.

"I would like to invite everyone involved in Hull and East Yorkshire's tourism industry to join us on March 25 to celebrate."

Tickets for the gala presentation evening are available now. To reserve your place, call Sophie Johnson on (01482) 486601 or email Sophie.johnson@vhey.co.uk