Suffolk: Awards celebrate best in tourism

THE 2011 Tourism in Suffolk Awards last night saw Southwold Pier named as the county’s top major attraction.

And it was a double celebration for the pier, with its success in the Large Visitor Attraction category coming after Peter Websdale, manager of its Promenade Caf�, picked up the Outstanding Customer Service award.

The Tourism in Suffolk Awards are organised by media company Archant, whose titles include the East Anglian Daily Times.

Johnny Hustler, managing director of Archant Anglia, told guests at last night’s ceremony, held at Trinity Park, Ipswich, that Archant was pleased to be a supporter of the new regional body Visit East Anglia, also backed by the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership and Visit England.

He acknowledged that there were concerns over the future promotion of Suffolk, at a time of change in the funding of tourism promotion, but said it would still be for Suffolk people to set the strategy for the “Visit Suffolk” brand.

The full line-up of winners was:

Best Tourism Experience (sponsored by Otley College): Go Ape.

Customer Service Award (sponsored by Suffolk Chamber of Commerce): Peter Websdale, Southwold Pier.

Best Festival or Event (sponsored by @Work Recruitment): Ip-Art.

Tourist Information Centre of the Year: Bury St Edmunds TIC.

Campsite or Caravan Park of the Year (sponsored by the EADT): Alde Garden, Sweffling.

Taste of England (sponsored by Camplings Linen): The British Larder, Bromeswell.

Sustainable Tourism (sponsored by Suffolk Chamber): Alde Garden.

Small Hotel: The Olde Bull, Barton Mills.

Small Visitor Attraction (sponsored by Business Link): Lowestoft Maritime Museum.

Large Visitor Attraction (sponsored by Spring): Southwold Pier.

Large Hotel (sponsored by Cipher Crystal): The Swan Hotel, Lavenham.

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