The winners of the East of England Tourism Awards 2023-2024 were announced last week at a ceremony at Snape Maltings, Suffolk. With businesses of all shapes and sizes from across the region in attendance, it was a night to highlight some of the incredible work being done to provide memorable holidays, days and nights out in the East.
The local zoo has been awarded ‘‘Experience of the Year’ by the East of England Tourism Board. Judges said their visit was “amazing and one-of-a-kind”, “the staff are knowledgeable, engaging and friendly making the experience educational and unforgettable, instilling a deeper appreciation for these incredible animals and leaving memories to last a lifetime”.
The ‘Feed a Big Cat Experience’ allows you to come face to face with Amur tigers, pride of white lions or even snow leopards, the some of which are the worlds most endangered cats.
The ceremony at Snape Maltings was a night dedicated to these people and their achievements. It was attended by the industry’s best and brightest – all of the deserving finalists and winners, as well as the range of sponsor businesses, without whom these awards couldn’t take place.
The East of England Tourism Awards are held in association with Visit East of England, which also operates Visit Suffolk and Visit Norfolk, with the winner and two finalists in each category going through to the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence finals, which champion the very best of the country’s tourism industry.
Experience of the Year
Winner: Hertfordshire Zoo
Finalists:
Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park
Eastwood Whelpton Sailing Holidays
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
Sponsored by Howes Percival
Winner: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter
Finalists:
Hertfordshire Zoo
ROARR!
The Zoo was founded in April 1984, where it has grown into a popular destination in the Hertfordshire area by founder Peter Sampson and daughter Lynn Whitnall, CEO. Hertfordshire zoo is home to over 800 animals including species that are critically endangered. There is also the World of Dinosaurs that features more than 40 life-size moving and roaring dinosaurs that don’t just entertain but also educate on the prehistoric era. They have recently opened new habitats such as Sun bear Heights, Jaguar Jungle and the new gibbon habitat that is set to open along with the rebranding tservation projects varying from year to year. A key focus for Hertfordshire Zoo is the conservation, in their natural habitat, of many of the threatened and endangered species that you will see.
Hertfordshire Zoo were also shortlisted for the ‘Overall Large Attraction of the Year.’ This was awarded to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter.
