Tägliche Flüge zum East Midlands Airport sind beispielsweise ab Berlin-Schönefeld  mit Ryanair buchbar. Weitere Airlines wie Lufthansa, British Airways oder flybe bieten ebenfalls tägliche Verbindungen von verschiedenen deutschen Flughäfen nach London sowie Birmingham. Unterkünfte sind ab 39 Euro pro Person über www.discovereastmidlands.de buchbar.

The Crown at Sproxton in Leicestershire, The Horse and Jockey in Oakham and The Yorkshire Bridge Inn in Bamford stood out for their excellent customer service and good facilities. They were also praised for their welcoming atmosphere, varied menus, selections of ales and commitment to promoting local food and drink.

The pubs also offer a range of different promotions and offers to encourage new and repeat visits.  The Crown at Sproxton, a relatively new business, runs speciality evenings to encourage guests to experience dishes from around the world, which are made using locally sourced produce.  The Horse and Jockey runs a number of themed evenings including special ‘sail and supper’ events in conjunction with Rutland 8 Yachts, and the Yorkshire Bridge Inn has been awarded an AA 4* rating, and offers a warm welcome to cyclists and walkers.

The Best Pub category is supported by the British Beer and Pub Association, Midlands Counties, and is one of 17 awards that will be presented to tourism businesses from across the region at the Roundhouse in Derby.  A number of the gold winners from the regional awards will go forward to the national Enjoy England Awards for Excellence final, which takes place in April 2011.  

In 2009 the East Midlands secured four national gold winners – more than any other English region.

 - ENDS -

For further information contact:

Bernadette McAndrew

East Midlands Tourism

0115 988 8365

Emma Salisbury

East Midlands Tourism

0115 988 8319

emmasalisbury@emd.org.uk

 Note to Editors:

 1.The 2010 finalists are:

Best Pub

The Crown at Sproxton, Sproxton, Leicestershire

The Horse and Jockey, Oakham, Rutland

The Yorkshire Bridge Inn, Bamford, Derbyshire

Large Hotel of the Year (over 35 bedrooms)

Belmont Hotel, Leicester, Leicestershire

Whittlebury Hall, Towcester, Northamptonshire

Thoresby Hall Hotel and Spa, Thoresby, Nottinghamshire

 Small Hotel of the Year (up to 50 bedrooms)   

Hotel Maiyango and Restaurant, Leicester, Leicestershire

Barnsdale Lodge, Nr Oakham, Rutland

The Peacock at Rowsley, Matlock, Derbyshire

 Large Visitor Attraction (over 50,000 visitors)

Chatsworth, Bakewell, Derbyshire

Calke Abbey, Ticknall, Derbyshire

The National Space Centre, Leicester, Leicestershire

 Small Visitor Attraction (under 50,000 visitors)

Bosworth Battlefield, Sutton Cheney, Leicestershire

Harborough Museum, Market Harborough, Leicestershire

Barnsdale Gardens, Exton, Rutland

 Bed and Breakfast / Guest Accommodation

Grendon Guest House, Buxton, Derbyshire

Grayingham Lodge B&B, Northorpe, Lincolnshire

 Self Catering

Stretton Lakes, Stretton, Rutland

Wheeldon Trees Farm Holiday Cottages, Buxton, Derbyshire

Hoe Grange Holidays, Brassington, near Matlock, Derbyshire

Manor House Stables, Martin, Lincolnshire

Business Tourism

Leicester City Football Club, Leicester, Leicestershire

Highgate House, Creaton, Northamptonshire

The Olde Barn Hotel, Health Club and Spa, Marston, Lincolnshire

Outstanding Customer Service 

Front of House Team, East Lodge Hotel and Restaurant, Matlock, Derbyshire

Joan Walters, Yorkshire Bridge Inn, Bamford, Derbyshire

On-Train Catering Team, Great Central Railway, Loughborough, Leicestershire

Tourist Information Service

Ollerton Tourist Information Centre, Ollerton, Nottinghamshire

Castleton Visitor Centre, Castleton, Derbyshire

Ashby Tourist Information Centre, Ashby-de-la Zouch, Leicestershire

Tourism Event

Buxton Festival, Buxton, Derbyshire

The British Birdwatching Fair, Egleton, Rutland

Tourism Experience

Great Central Railway, Loughborough, Leicestershire

Rutland Water Fly Fishing Adventures, nr Oakham, Rutland

Taste of the Region

The Grey Lady, Newtown Linford, Leicestershire

Hotel Maiyango and restaurant, Leicester, Leicestershire

The Kings Arms Inn, Wing, Rutland

Sustainable Tourism

Ladybower apartments, Bamford, Derbyshire

Horseshoe Cottage Farm, Cropston, Leicestershire

Brackenborough Hall Coach House Holidays, Louth, Lincolnshire

The Manor House Stables, Martin, Lincolnshire

Access for All

Hoe Grange Holidays, Brassington, near Matlock, Derbyshire

Snibston Discovery Park, Coalville, Leicestershire

Caravan Holiday Park

Callow Top Holiday Park, Ashbourne, Derbyshire

Long Acres Caravan Park, Old Leake, Boston, Lincolnshire

Milestone Caravan Park, Newark, Nottinghamshire

Regional categories

Think Family

Snibston Discovery Park, Coalville, Leicestershire

Sulgrave Manor, Banbury, Northamptonshire

Helsey House Cottages, Helsey, Nr Hogsthorpe, Lincolnshire

2. East Midlands Tourism was established in April 2004 by East Midlands Development Agency and is responsible for improving the skills, quality standards and the value and competitiveness of the tourism industry. The tourism industry has an important role to play in supporting emda’s aim to deliver the 2006 Regional Economic Strategy (RES), which sets out regional priorities until 2020. The RES, coordinated by emda, highlights the themes of productivity, sustainability and equality and builds on the previous two strategies; ‘Prosperity through People’ and ‘Destination 2010’.  For more information on east midlands tourism visit www.eastmidlandstourism.com 

 3. East Midlands Tourism works with five Destination Management Partnerships – Experience Nottinghamshire, Explore Northamptonshire, Leicester Shire Promotions, Lincolnshire Tourism and Visit Peak District & Derbyshire.   These organisations are responsible for managing their sub region as a tourist destination, working with local stakeholders, and are the first point of contact for businesses and visitors. For more information visit www.discovereastmidlands.com

Description:

This day was developed to help newer tourism businesses learn about the quality assurance scheme, as well as how to generally improve their businesses.  It was created for B&B’s, farmhouse B&B’s, guest houses, restaurants and pubs with rooms.

The workshop focuses on how quality assessments are carried out, as well as the benefits of taking part in the Quality in Tourism scheme.  There will be opportunity to swap ideas and best practice with similar businesses.

Contact information:

For more information or to register your attendence please contact susan.kay@northamptonshireenterprise.ltd.uk  by 01604 609539 Friday 1st October

Description:

This practical course is aimed at improving the communication and customer service skills of front line employees.

Growing these skills can improve the experience for your customers, increase repeat business and raise profitability.  Welcome Host is now accredited by City & Guilds, and participants who undertake the optional 30 minute test can gain a City & Guids level 2 award in Welcome Host (Customer Service).

Contact information:

For more information or to register your attendence please contact susan.kay@northamptonshireenterprise.ltd.uk or 01604 609 539 by Friday 29th October

Description:

Focus on Food Profit is a half-day workshop that provides practical knowledge to ensure  food sales are delivering your business the maximum profit return.

The day includes menu planning, stock control, waste control and main points of profit generation.

Contact information:

To register your interest, contact susan.kay@northamptonshireenterprise.ltd.uk or 01604 609 539 by Friday 8th October 2010

Description:

This day has been specifically created for all tourism businesses in Northamptonshire, with a topical agenda and a chance for buisnesses to discuss current issues.

There will also be an opportunity to hear about industry news and trends and to network with fellow tourism businesses.

Contact information:

For more information or to register your attendence please contact Vanessa Bradley by 20.8.10

vanessa.bradley@northamptonshireenterprise.ltd.uk 

Tel. 01604 609530 or 07881482194

Description:

This one-day course will give you a good understanding of how to provide a world class welcome to visitors from key international markets. It will combine an inspiring presentation with valuable tips, the opportunity for group discussion and individual action planning.

The workshop will cover:

• The importance of overseas visitors to the tourism industry
• Key factors influencing international tourism to the UK
• Key facts about visitors from Europe, South America, Africa, Asia and Australasia
• Greeting overseas visitors – tips and guidelines
• Giving directions – tips and guidelines
• Communicating effectively through vocal communication & body language
• Resolving difficult situations
• Cultural awareness
• Providing practical assistance (e.g. directions, money, driving, measurements, emergencies, international communications)
• Attracting more overseas visitors
• Devising an individual action plan
• Assessment activity
• Country factfiles; key facts about a range of countries and expectations of visitors

Contact information:

For more information on any of these workshops, or to book a place please contact Catherine Walls on 0115 962 8322 or email catherine.walls@experiencenottinghamshire.com.

Description:

Focus on Food Profit is a half-day workshop that provides practical knowledge to ensure your food sales are delivering your business the maximum profit return.

The day includes menu planning, stock control, waste control and main points of profit generation.

Contact information:

To register your interest, contact Elizabeth Furniss at Leicester Shire Promotions on (0116) 225 4011 or email elizabeth.furniss@l-p-l.com

Description:

Combining an expert overview with specific actions to improve customer service in your business.

Participants that undertake the one-day course can also participate in a 30-question multiple choice examination giving them the opportunity to gain the City & Guilds Level 2 Award in Welcome Host (Customer Service) QCF.

Contact information:

To register your interest, contact Elizabeth Furniss at Leicester Shire Promotions on (0116) 225 4011 or email elizabeth.furniss@l-p-l.com

Description:

An inspiring and stimulating day to find new ways of making your business truly welcoming and enticing to families. 

Contact information:

 For more information and booking forms for any of the above please contact Sharon Stone on 01522 561661 or email sharon@visitlincolnshire.com