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For some of the best of tourism businesses in the West Midlands you should look no further than the attractions, accommodations and businesses shortlisted in the Heart of England Excellence in Tourism Awards 2006, organised by Heart of England Tourism.   

A total of 57 businesses from the Heart of England region have made it through the initial sift of applications and have been shortlisted.

Those making it through to the shortlist will be assessed by Heart of England Tourism.  Finalists for the regional tourism awards will then be announced in August following further scrutiny from the judging panel Chaired by Heart of England Tourism Chairman, Sir William Lawrence, Elizabeth Halls from Quality at Heart and Kay Alexander, BBC West Midlands.  The winners will be announced at a regional awards ceremony at Coventry Cathedral on Thursday 12th October.

Sir William Lawrence OBE commented, “Once again we are reviewing applications and visiting some of the best tourism businesses across the Heart of England region.  It is fantastic that there is such strength in depth to our regional tourism industry.  It very much backs up our key messages, not only to consumers looking to visit the region, but also those who live and work here, that the Heart of England offers a high quality and tourism product with something for everyone, and provides excellent value for money."  

Kay Alexander, who will be presenting the awards at Coventry Cathedral in October, said, "I am delighted to be involved once again with the Heart of England Excellence in Tourism Awards and look forward to the Gala Dinner and Awards event in October at Coventry Cathedral which will be a great opportunity to celebrate the best of the region."  

Penny Hadland, Project Manager for Quality at Heart, said that, "Businesses in the Heart of England continue to work towards excellence, improve customer care and strive to provide ever better visitor experiences with guidance and assistance from both the Regional Centre for Tourism Business Support Advisers and Quality at Heart Executives. We welcome working with Heart of England Tourism on the Excellence in Tourism Awards which very much support our aims and objectives for tourism businesses in the region."

The Awards categories are: Bed & Breakfast of the Year, Caravan Holiday Park of the Year, Large Hotel of the Year, Small Hotel of the Year, Self-catering Holiday of the Year, Tourist Information Centre (TIC) of the Year, Large Visitor Attraction of the Year, Small Visitor Attraction of the Year, Outstanding Customer Service Award, Tourism Website of the Year, Business Tourism Award and Taste of the Heart.   The winners of these will go forward to the National Enjoy England Awards in 2007.  The following categories are run as regional only, but are no less prestigious, Green Award for Tourism, Tourism for All, and Best Value for Money.  The Chairman, Sir William Lawrence OBE, also makes a personal presentation to a business, organisation or individual he considers to have made an outstanding contribution to tourism over the last year.

2006 Shortlist:

B&B of the Year
Lowe Farm - Herefordshire
The Olive Branch Guest House - Worcestershire
Kateshill House - Worcestershire
Magnolia - Shropshire

Business Tourism
Woodside - Warwickshire
CVOne - Coventry
Staffordshire/Stoke on Trent Conference Bureau - Stoke
Aston Business School Management Development Centre - Birmingham

Caravan Holiday Park of the Year
Poston Mill Park - Herefordshire
Pearl Lake Leisure Park Ltd - Herefordshire
The Millpond - Herefordshire

Green Award
Weston Park - Shropshire

Large Hotel of the Year
Copthorne Hotel Merry Hill - West Midlands
Ardencote Manor Hotel, Country Club and Spa - Warwickshire
Coombe Abbey Hotel - Coventry
Radisson SAS Hotel - Birmingham
Chesford Grange Hotel - Warwickshire

Large Visitor Attraction
Shugborough Estate - Staffordshire
Wedgwood Visitor Centre - Staffordshire
Drayton Manor Theme Park - Staffordshire
Coventry Transport Museum - Coventry
Cadbury World - Birmingham
Enginuity - Shropshire

Outstanding Customer Service
The Open Road, Classic Car Hire - Warwickshire
Lowe Hall Farm - Shropshire
Dudley Museum and Art Gallery - West Midlands
St Paul's Enterprises Ltd - West Midlands
Blue Badge Guided Tours - Warwickshire

Self Catering Holiday of the Year
Ashford Farm Cottages - Shropshire
Bon Acceuil - Shropshire
The Colloquy - Herefordshire
Coalport Station Holidays - Shropshire

Small Hotel of the Year
Patshull Park Hotel, Golf and Country Club - Shropshire
Hogarths Hotel and Restaurant - West Midlands
Dormy House Hotel - Worcestershire

Small Visitor Attraction
Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre - Shropshire
Broadfield House Glass Museum - West Midlands
Weston Park - Shropshire

Taste of the Heart
Maynards Farm Bacon Ltd - Shropshire
Weston Park - Shropshire
A Taste of Staffordshire - Staffordshire

Tourism for All
Travel de Courcey - Coventry
Aston Business School Management Development Centre - Birmingham
Avon Leisure Cruises - Worcestershire

Tourism Website
The Open Road, Classic Car Hire - Warwickshire
Farncombe Estate Adult Learning Centre Ltd - Worcestershire
CVOne - Coventry
Hidelow House Cottages - Worcestershire
The Ironbridge Gorge Museums - Shropshire

Tourist Information Centre
Rugby Visitor Centre - Warwickshire
Tamworth Tourist Information Centre - Staffordshire
Whitchurch Heritage and Tourist Information Centre - Shropshire
Shrewsbury Visitor Information Centre - Shropshire
Leek Tourist Information Centre - Staffordshire

Value for Money
Calvers Cottage - Shropshire
Nitenite Cityrooms - Birmingham
Mocktree Barns Holiday Cottages - Shropshire