VisitEngland Announces Tourism Superstar 2014 Shortlist

VisitEngland, the national tourist board has announced the shortlist for Tourism Superstar 2014. The tourism accolade was launched 2 years ago as part of English Tourism Week (this year running 29 March – 6 April). The award recognises the dedication and passion of those working in the tourism industry, and is awarded to an individual who goes above and beyond the call of duty to ensure visitors to England have a priceless experience.

Those shortlisted are:

Dickon Allen – Montacute House, National Trust in Somerset

Dickon is Assistant Visitor Services Manager at Montacute House, a glittering example of an Elizabethan mansion. His many varied duties include providing visitor talks, working on reception, looking after weddings, providing guided walks. He is described as a ‘one off’ who is constantly smiling and works especially hard to improve access for visitors with disabilities.

Buzby Allen – Potters Resort in Norfolk

Buzby works as an on-resort entertainer and member of the resident comedy team at Potter’s Resort, and has been with the holiday village in Great Yarmouth for over 20 years. He is ever present on resort whether that’s coaching football, umpiring a curling match or simply making guests smile. His managers say that without Buz the resort would not be the same.

Ade Andrews – The Robin Hood Town Tour in Nottingham

Ade lives and breathes Nottingham’s most famous outlaw through his own creation, The Robin Hood Town Tour. He is passionate about Nottingham and is actively involved in projects across the city from cultural regeneration initiatives to organising tree planting days in Sherwood Pines Forest for city schools. He is described as an amazing tour guide whose passion for Robin Hood is infectious

John Consterdine – Manchester Taxi Tour in Manchester

John is a fantastic advocate for Manchester and his tireless passion and enthusiasm, combined with savvy entrepreneurship make him a prime example of true Mancunian Spirit. He is said to always go out of his way to deliver the best in customer service and offers highly personalised and bespoke tours which means he never does the same tour twice. John recently won Tourism Star of the Year at the Manchester Tourism Awards.

Rob Dean – Where the Wall in Bristol

Rob is an artist and musician and his passion for the arts led him to set up guided walking tours of Bristol’s street art in 2012. Where the Wall Tours introduce visitors to art in an accessible and informed way using Banksy artworks as well as pieces by other acclaimed artists and up and coming talent. Rob is described as having an infectious enthusiasm for Bristol’s unique creative culture.

Sandy Griffiths – VisitBlackpool Tourism Information Centre in Blackpool

Sandy is one of a team of five who represent Blackpool to the resort’s 13million visitors a year. Her job is to welcome tourists and ensure they have the best time whether that’s for a week’s holiday or a day trip. She is described by colleagues as Mrs Blackpool! And has a colourful background on stage which included being part of Les Dawson’s dance troupe, the Roly Polys!

Fraser Hicks – Captain of the Sea King, Isles of Scilly

Fraser works for the St Mary’s boatman’s Association in the Isles of Scilly skippering his open boat the Sea King between the islands. Fraser has lived a life on the sea from childhood and loves nothing more than inspiring others to learn about and fall in love with his island home. When he’s not ferrying passengers between the islands he drops into the local radio station to provide a daily weather forecast. “It’s always a good day for boating” has become an island catch phrase!

John and Helen Hogg – Stratford Town Walk in Stratford-upon-Avon

John and Helen form a fantastic partnership in Stratford by providing lively and enthusiastic tours of this historic gem. They are said to always go the extra mile to ensure that visitors from at home and abroad always leave Stratford with a wonderful impression of the town. They work hand in glove with the other businesses in Stratford to promote tourism to the wider area.

Walter Stewart-Brown – Crowne Plaza Heythrop Park in The Oxfordshire Cotswolds

Walter won the 2013 Oxfordshire Cotswolds Tourism Superstar award and received his award from the Prime Minister. Walter, a bar supervisor at the Crowne Plaza Heythrop Park, has a great rapport with the customers and is said to help make their visits extra special by regularly recommending his own favourite local areas to guests.

Martin Wood – Shrewsbury Guided Tours – Shropshire

To say Martin is a larger than life character is absolutely true – standing at a mere 7ft2in he is the world’s tallest town crier. He has represented the medieval town of Shrewsbury for over 27 years and provides a unique and personal guided tour service to visitors from all over the world. Acting as Hagrid’s body double in the Harry Potter films, it’s not surprising that Martin is a bit hit with the many school groups he entertains throughout the year.

Chairman of English Tourism Week David Curtis-Brignell said: “Tourism Superstar 2014 serves to highlight the passion and dedication that abounds in the tourism industry. This award recognises the people on the front-line who meet and greet visitors on a daily basis, and whose unfailing hard work and creativity ensures that visitors to England have an unforgettably wonderful experience.”

VisitEngland has teamed up with national newspaper, The Daily Mirror to host an online public vote. From 1 March, a short film of all nominees will be found on www.mirroronline.co.uk where readers can vote for their favourite.

The winner will be announced on March 29, the first day of English Tourism Week and will be invited to attend VisitEngland’s Awards for Excellence held in May this year where their Award will be presented to them in person.