We’re not big on fashion up on the cliff tops. So when you see your colleagues wearing something other than their usual fleece and welly combo, it’s really weird. It’s especially weird when they’ve swapped their work clothes for DJs and sequins (rarely seen together on the same person, I hasten to add). And, because we’re Yorkshire folk, it’s a sight that usually elicits the famous response, ‘By ‘eck, you scrub up well.’
So there was a lot of scrubbing up well on display at the recent Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards (REYTAs) held at The Spa, Bridlington a few weeks ago – including six members of the RSPB Bempton Cliffs team in their glad rags. The glittering occasion was attended by 500 people to celebrate all that’s good in tourism in the region and the Royal Hall was packed with excited folk hoping to get their hands on a much prized award.
This year saw a record number of entries, around 1400, and we’d been short-listed in the Visitor Attraction category but had no idea whether we had won or not – so we were on tenter-hooks throughout the gala dinner as our category was the last of the evening to be awarded. (Didn’t stop us enjoying the fab food though).
The first step on the road to REYTA success starts in January when entries need to be submitted to for judging. The entry covers a host of key areas that contribute to making the reserve a top visitor attraction - from examples of great customer service to innovative marketing ideas and lots in between. We also have to provide supporting material such as positive visitor feedback, press coverage and photos that show just what we’ve been doing all year. So the judging panel has a lot to consider.
This year Nature Tourism was big news in the Visitor Attraction category. We were up against our friends at The Living Seas Centre, The Yorkshire Belle and Yorkshire Coast Nature, amongst other contenders.
As the list of the nominees in the Visitor Attraction was announced, there was a lot of nervous laughter around the table – until that point, we’d congratulated ourselves on getting this far. But as the moment of truth approached, I felt I would have killed for an award rather than gone home empty handed. As it turned out, cold blooded murder wasn’t necessary.
Much cheering accompanied our name being read out. However, the judges couldn’t decide between us and the mighty Hull Truck Theatre of John Godber fame – so we were named joint winners.
Cue much celebration – and no small amount of relief.
Tourism body Visit Hull and East Yorkshire (VHEY), which is jointly funded by Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council, launched the REYTAs in 2009 and they have gone on to be regarded as one of the most prestigious events in the industry. They are now also aligned to the Visit England Awards for Excellence, giving REYTA winners the chance of national honours.
And yes, we will be entering. We’ll let you know how we go on.