Permatanned TV presenter Judith Chalmers was last night honoured for her work in persuading millions of viewers to go on holiday, joining the cream of the domestic travel industry in celebrating a tourism "Oscar" at the annual Excellence in England Tourism Awards.
Ms Chalmers received her award for outstanding contribution to tourism at a ceremony in Kensington Palace, London - following in the footsteps of such luminaries as the Queen, Harry Potter and Manchester United.
She was one of 11 award winners, along with others including the best hotels, attractions, museums and tourism websites.
In a boost to English tourism, it was announced that the British expected to spend a record £22bn on overnight trips in England this year. A VisitBritain business confidence survey revealed that 65% of tourism businesses expect more customers this year and 59% are confident that domestic tourism will grow faster than outbound tourism.
VisitBritain chairman Sir Michael Lickiss said: "Domestic tourism is flourishing and we are optimistic about prospects for 2004. The awards are an important way of recognising the people who ensure domestic tourists and international visitors have a world-class experience when visiting England."
The winners and judges' verdicts
The Large Visitor Attraction of the Year (over 100,000 visitors) award went to London's Natural History Museum (020 7942 5880). In 2002, the museum opened the first phase of its most significant project to date - the Darwin Centre - turning the spotlight on the important role the museum plays in generating knowledge about the natural world.
The Small Visitor Attraction of the Year (under 100,000 visitors) award went to the Thackray Museum (0113 244 4343) in Leeds, West Yorkshire, which showcases the way medicine has changed over the past 150 years.
The Small Hotel of the Year winner was Swinton Park (01765 680 900) in Ripon, North Yorkshire. The family castle turned luxury hotel is set in 200 acres of parkland and the owners, the Cunliffe-Lister family, have ensured an exceptional experience for guests.
The Large Hotel of the Year award went to luxury hotel The Lowry (0161 827 4012) in Manchester, where quality and customer service are paramount.
The Tourism for All winner was the National Portrait Gallery (020 7306 0055) in London, for its commitment to embracing the needs of all visitors with disabilities. Facilities in the gallery include computers that enlarge a portrait's image, sound guides and a range of regular events for people with disabilities.
The Tourist Information Centre of the Year went to the staff of the Salisbury TIC (01722 334 956) in Wiltshire, who have made huge efforts to ensure the centre is accessible to people with disabilities. The customer enquiry desk has been lowered and some staff are British Sign Language trained.
The Self-catering Holiday of the Year winner was the Thatched Cottage Company (01395 567 565) in Otterton, Devon, which owns thatched and period cottages in Devon.
The Bed & Breakfast of the Year award went to Field House (01328 878 726) in Hindringham, where guests can enjoy a warm welcome, home-cooked breakfasts made from local produce and bedrooms equipped with videos and CD players.
The Caravan Holiday Park of the Year award went to the recently renovated Far Grange Caravan Park (01262 468 293) in Skipsea, North Yorkshire. Over £1m is being spent at the park to maintain its position as a five-star resort.
The Tourism Website of the Year winner was British Airways London Eye (0870 443 9861) - a well-designed, easy to use website that includes an online booking and search facility and many innovative features.
