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VIDEO - The Visit York Tourism Awards 2019

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Published at 11:56pm 20th June 2019. (Updated at 1:32pm 21st June 2019)

It was a celebration of the best that York and North Yorkshire has to offer visitors.

The 2019 Visit York Awards took place on Thursday night at the National Railway Museum.

If winning be the food of love, win on...

Incredible to have won Newcomer of the Year. ⭐️ 🌹 #VYTA19 #newcomeroftheyear #ShakespearesRT pic.twitter.com/slJMlU5hAC
— Shakespeare's Rose Theatre (@ShakespearesRT) 20 June 2019

James Cundall, the man behind Shakespeare's Rose Theatre was honoured with three awards.

The World of James Herriot in Thirsk was voted Attraction of the Year (Under 50k Visitors) on the eve of its official 20th Anniversary.

It was announced that we will see next years ceremony in April not June so everyone has a chance to take part in the Visit England awards too.

VIDEO - Head of Visit York, Paul Whiting:

#VYTA2019 awards @VisitYork @MakeItYork #york head of Visit York @IamPaulWhiting talks about another great night and changes to next years schedule @minsterfm news pic.twitter.com/HUMqf2baW0
— DavidDunninguk (@daviddunninguk) June 20, 2019

Sponsors LNER gave everyone a taste of things to come on the East Coast Main Line.

The Azuma Train, the first new express train on the London to Edinburgh route for nearly 30 years arrives in the city in August.

This is the Azuma Biscuit.

Host Ben Fry, from the Minster FM Breakfast Show, arrived to start the event after a video showing him taking a preview trip on the new train.

He is also the Town Crier of York and made his first welcoming address in his official suit.

#VYTA19 @VisitYork awards underway @railwaymuseum #york with @LNER and @BenMinsterFM @minsterfm pic.twitter.com/OEkCDmFXhf
— DavidDunninguk (@daviddunninguk) June 20, 2019

VIDEO - James Cundall picks up Tourism Champion Award.

Tourism champion 2019 Well done James @ShakespearesRT #york #VYTA2019 @VisitYork @MakeItYork @minsterfm @LNER pic.twitter.com/YsrQUYF7Lw
— DavidDunninguk (@daviddunninguk) June 20, 2019

VIDEO - Tourism champion 2019 Well done James @ShakespearesRT #york #VYTA2019 @VisitYork awards @MakeItYork @minsterfm @LNER pic.twitter.com/ABMM26KNM8
— DavidDunninguk (@daviddunninguk) June 20, 2019

He paid tribute to the other winners and said that his award was something that he didn't expect.

It was, he added, a treat to get something like this in his home city.

"To play a small part in the tourist offering in our city is a great joy"

20 years of The World of James Herriot in Thirsk

Celebrating the life and work of a North Riding country vet and world famous author, the visitor centre has been bringing people to Thirsk since 1999.

Ian Ashton is the MD and said their award for Visitor Attraction (Under 50k) was so nice as they had worked so hard to put the museum on the map.

Visitor attraction of the year (under 50k visitors) #vyta19 @VisitYork @MakeItYork @lner awards Winner is @jamesherriot in #Thirsk AND THE NIGHT BEFORE ITS 20th ANNIVERSARY TOO !! @minsterfm news. Here’s MD Ian Ashton pic.twitter.com/UscutYhFaP
— DavidDunninguk (@daviddunninguk) June 20, 2019

City Cruises York won the Attraction of the Year award for over 50k visitors

Visitor Attraction of the Year (over 50k) #VYTA19 @VisitYork #york is @citycruisesyork well done 😎 @minsterfm news pic.twitter.com/JRqo9g8fp0
— DavidDunninguk (@daviddunninguk) June 20, 2019

Other winners included:

Visitor experience of the year @yorkmaze hallowscream #VYTA19 #york @VisitYork @LNER with @minsterfm pic.twitter.com/gSyI2X9KjU
— DavidDunninguk (@daviddunninguk) June 20, 2019

Hotel of the Year #VYTA19 @VisitYork @grayscourtyork #york @minsterfm news pic.twitter.com/VZfX3pZJXO
— DavidDunninguk (@daviddunninguk) June 20, 2019

Tourism supplier of the year is @yorkgin #VYTA19 @VisitYork @LNER @MakeItYork #york @minsterfm pic.twitter.com/jFVQ9QLIaS
— DavidDunninguk (@daviddunninguk) June 20, 2019

The Principal Hotel in York won two awards, Best Conference Venue and Tearoom of the Year which delighted staff who have worked very hard to maintain the standards and reputation of one of the city's iconic hotels.

Their Afternoon Tea service has a formidable reputation for quality food served with stunning views.

All the Winner and Nominees

Two new categories were introduced this year with York Gin scooping the title of ‘Best Tourism Supplier’ and Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre being crowned for their efforts in ‘Innovation in Tourism’.

Marking its 22nd year, the Visit York Tourism Awards celebrate those who offer that extra special service and experience for York’s 6.9 million visitors, recognising and rewarding excellence in the city’s multi-million pound tourism sector.

Fresh off of their success from the National Restaurant Awards Top 100 list, Tommy Banks’ Roots scooped the ’Restaurant of the Year’ title.

The Shop That Must Not Be Named was awarded the title of the ‘Shop of the Year’ for their magical ability to bring people from around the globe to experience the world of wizardry.

Paul Whiting, Head of Visit York, said:

“We congratulate all the winners and finalists of this year’s Tourism Awards for their continued dedication for improving the visitor experience in the city and beyond.

The tourism offer in York is outstanding and each year we are continually impressed with what is achieved.”

Headline sponsor LNER attended the ceremony, with David Horne, Managing Director of LNER:

“It was great to celebrate some of the brilliant individuals and businesses that help make York such a fantastic place to visit.

As a result of their hard work, we see people from across the world travelling with us to the region to see the famous sites and attractions on offer.

I’d like to say a big congratulations to all the winners and those shortlisted for a fantastic year.”

Winners of the Visit York Tourism Awards 2019:

Pub or Bar of the Year