Our 'remarkable' tourism gems: Awards for East Yorkshire's best

THE stars of East Yorkshire’s tourism industry were celebrated at a glittering award ceremony last night.

Around 400 people attended the second Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards (REYTAs) at The Spa Bridlington.

Organised by Visit Hull And East Yorkshire (VHEY), the REYTAs recognise the best individuals, attractions and hospitality businesses within the region’s £615 million-a-year tourism industry.

Janet Reuben, chief executive of VHEY, said: “The calibre of this year’s finalists was exceptional and it was immensely challenging for our judges to choose the winners.

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“The quality and quantity of nominations received was phenomenal and is reflective of the strength of our tourism industry.”

Winners were announced in 13 categories, including Remarkable Pub and Remarkable Cuppa, which were sponsored by the Mail’s parent company Mail News & Media.

More than 4,000 Mail readers voted, choosing The

Star @ Sancton as the region’s most Remarkable Pub and the Larkin Toads as the Remarkable Experience that “brought a smile to your face” and created lasting memories.

Lindsey Cox, who runs The

Star @ Sancton, with her husband Ben, said: “It’s lovely to get this recognition for our pub because we spent a lot of time choosing our ales.

“The public vote makes it extra special.”

Now in their second year, the REYTAs saw 65 finalists competing for the 13 awards with nominations up by 50 per cent on last year.

Other winners included Miller’s Tea Room & Farm Shop, which scooped the prize for Remarkable Cuppa, the Boars

Nest on Princes Avenue, which was recognised for its Remarkable Food, and Kilham Hall Country House, which took the prize for Remarkable Breakfast.

Elaine Townend, who runs Miller’s Tea Room & Farm Shop at Raywell, said: “It’s fantastic because it is the second time we have won. I take my hat off to my staff because they are brilliant.

“Our customers are always the priority and tonight it paid off.”

Entrants were shortlisted and winners selected by an independent panel of industry experts with the exception of the Remarkable Pub and Remarkable Experience.

A further two awards, Remarkable East Yorkshire and Remarkable East Yorkshire Passion, were selected by VHEY’s board of directors.

Winners were presented with awards designed and created by talented ceramics students at Hull College.

The guests were entertained by special guest star Jarred Christmas, who returned to the region after a successful performance at last year’s Freedom Festival.

Sponsorship from a number of leading regional and national organisations meant this year’s awards were entirely self-funded.

Sponsors included The

Deep, P&O Ferries, First Hull Trains Business Travel, deliciouslyorkshire, The Moffat Centre For Travel And Tourism Business Development, Mail News & Media, Strawberry, The

Spa Bridlington, St Stephen’s Shopping Centre and Princes Quay.

Mrs Reuben said: “The awards make a real difference to the winners and are vital for promoting and improving Hull and East Yorkshire’s tourism industry.

“I am hugely grateful to our sponsors, whose support makes the REYTAs possible.”

* Reviewed in tomorrow's Mail: The Star@Sancton, winner of the best pub award at last night's Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards. Check out Food Spy's verdict in the Guide.