BEVERLEY – Tourism and hospitality businesses across Beverley are being encouraged to put themselves forward for this year’s Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards (REYTAs), with entries now officially open.
The annual awards, now in their 16th year, recognise the very best attractions, hotels, restaurants, pubs, events and visitor experiences across Hull and East Yorkshire. Winners can also go on to represent the region at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.
For Beverley businesses, the awards have become an increasingly important showcase. In recent years, the town has consistently performed strongly, with local attractions, hospitality venues and independent businesses regularly featuring among the finalists and winners.
If you’ve ever considered entering but assumed the awards were only for larger organisations, think again. Many of the businesses recognised each year are independent operators who simply tell their story well and demonstrate what makes them special.
Why enter?
Even if you don’t win, entering the REYTAs can be valuable in its own right.
The application process encourages businesses to take stock of their achievements, customer feedback, growth and community impact. Many entrants use their submissions to support future marketing, funding bids and business planning.
Recognition from the REYTAs can also raise a business’s profile, attract new customers and provide valuable third-party endorsement.
Which category should you enter?
This year’s categories cover almost every part of the visitor economy, including:
- Visitor Attraction of the Year
- Experience of the Year
- Pub of the Year
- Taste of East Yorkshire
- Tourism Event of the Year
- Local Producer Award
- Cuppa Award
- New Tourism Business of the Year
- Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
- Hotel and Accommodation categories
Businesses can enter more than one category where appropriate.
What are the judges looking for?
While every category differs slightly, judges are typically looking for:
- Excellent customer experiences
- Strong visitor feedback and reviews
- Innovation and creativity
- Business growth and development
- Contribution to the local economy and community
- Evidence rather than claims
Think about including customer testimonials, visitor numbers, examples of improvements you’ve made and any positive outcomes your business has achieved.
Get help before you apply
Visit Hull and East Yorkshire is running a free application masterclass to help businesses prepare stronger submissions.
The session takes place at Bridlington Spa on Thursday 25 June between 1pm and 3pm and will cover what judges are looking for, how the process works and practical tips for writing an effective entry.
Key dates
Entries for most categories close on Friday 31 July.
The Tourism Event of the Year category has a later deadline of Sunday 31 August.
Beverley’s chance to shine again
Beverley businesses have built a strong reputation at the REYTAs over recent years, reflecting the quality of the town’s food, drink, accommodation, attractions and events.
With the town continuing to attract visitors from across Yorkshire and beyond, there is every reason to believe local businesses can once again feature prominently when the winners are announced.
For those considering entering, the advice is simple: don’t assume you’re too small, don’t leave it until the last minute and make sure you tell your story with evidence.