THE 2009 Tourism in Suffolk awards have been launched amid what is expected by many operators to be a busy season for the county. Organised by Archant, publishers of the EADT in conjunction with Choose Suffolk, the awards aim to recognise and celebrate all that's good about the county's tourism industry.

THE 2009 Tourism in Suffolk awards have been launched amid what is expected by many operators to be a busy season for the county.

Organised by Archant, publishers of the EADT and Evening Star in conjunction with Choose Suffolk, the awards aim to recognise and celebrate all that's good about the county's tourism industry.

Alex Paul, tourism manager at Choose Suffolk said the Tourism in Suffolk Awards provided an opportunity to showcase industry excellence and were a great marketing opportunity for businesses that reached the final stages as well as for the winners.

“Choose Suffolk is absolutely thrilled to be sponsoring the Tourism in Suffolk awards again this year,” he said. “The awards are instrumental in showcasing and rewarding the superb quality and diversity of the tourism offer in Suffolk.

These awards wonderfully demonstrate the incredible quality Suffolk has to offer and are an inspiration for us at Choose Suffolk.

What really shines out for me is the incredible passion that people working in the tourism industry here have for Suffolk, the enthusiasm and drive to ensure that every visitor here has a quality experience.”

Tourism is regarded as a bright spot amid this year's economic gloom thanks to an exchange rate that favours domestic holidays and should encourage many more overseas visitors to visit the UK than usual.

The credit crunch and a positive long range forecast from the Met Office are also expected to persuade more Brits than usual to stay closer to home, with many choosing Suffolk as a destination for holidays and short breaks.

Mr Paul said the feeling in the industry locally was that it had already been a positive start to the year.

“We have had a good Easter and some good bank holidays. We are very positive because of the outlook for the coming season with the higher focus on domestic holidays in answer to the economic climate,” he said.

“I think also there is a real recognition there is a quality holiday or break available in the country.

“We are positive that the summer is looking good but we are working to make sure this continues in an upward vein in the long term as well.”

The 2009 Tourism in Suffolk Awards offer 12 categories for operators to enter including Best Attraction, Best Hotel and Best Tourism Experience, which is decided by public nomination.

Entrants are judged on criteria that include standards of facilities and service, innovation and green credentials.

Many of the categories link directly to the East of England Tourism Awards, which means winners are automatically shortlisted and can showcase their organisation at a regional and national level.

Archant and its monthly publication Essex Life, has also launched the inaugural Tourism in Essex awards in association with Visit Essex.

Lisa Bone, strategic tourism manager for Essex County Council said the awards could help encourage outstanding quality and reward those businesses which were passionate about the county and what it had to offer.

To find out more and to enter the awards go to www.tourismawards.co.uk/suffolk or www.tourismawards.co.uk/essex.

The deadline for the Suffolk awards entries is July 3, 2009 and the winners will be announced at a black tie dinner at Trinity Park on September 24.

The deadline for the Essex awards entries is June 19, with the winners announced at a gala event at the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend on September 10.