Companies from across the West Midlands’ accommodation, arts, food and drink, visitor attraction and heritage sectors will go head-to-head for awards including Large Hotel of the Year, Taste of the West Midlands and Experience of the Year.

In recognition of a turbulent two years for the tourism industry, a new category – the Resilience and Innovation Award – will honour a West Midlands organisation, which has shown particular flexibility and dexterity, as well as support for their local communities, during the coronavirus pandemic.

The awards are supported by the West Midlands Growth Company, one of the partners responsible for delivering the Business and Tourism Programme. The three-year initiative aims to leverage the profile of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games to attract more tourists and major events to the West Midlands and wider UK.

Becky Frall, Head of Visitor Attraction at the West Midlands Growth Company, said:

“The West Midlands Tourism Awards will celebrate the venues, which – despite working in an often unpredictable climate – have consistently delivered a first-class welcome for our region’s visitors.   

“Some categories, including our new Resilience and Innovation Award, were particularly competitive, so we congratulate those businesses who have made it through to the finals as we come together to recognise the shining stars of our tourism scene.

“Whether it’s a trip to a heritage attraction, a meal at a leading restaurant, or a relaxing overnight stay, our West Midlands venues create amazing experiences for visitors. This year, more than ever, major global events such as the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the Birmingham 2022 Festival and the culmination of the UK City of Culture in Coventry are set to produce lifelong memories for everyone who comes to the region.”

Pre-pandemic, the tourism sector contributed £13.1 billion to the West Midlands economy, attracting 134 million visitors and supporting more than 137,000 full-time equivalent jobs.

The Awards are championed by the West Midlands Regional Board for Tourism, which is tasked with helping the region’s visitor economy to grow its economic value. Now chaired by Andrew Lovett OBE, Chief Executive of the Black Country Living Museum, the board comprises experts from fields including sport, culture, conferencing venues and attractions.

More details about the West Midlands Tourism Awards ceremony in March will be announced shortly. Regional winners will automatically feed up to the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, which takes place in June.

You can find a list of the finalists below.

For more information, visit makeitwm.com/wmta.

2022 West Midlands Tourism Awards – finalists: