MEDIA RELEASE

CAST YOUR VOTES FOR DEVON'S ONLY FINALIST IN ENGLAND'S TOURISM SUPERSTAR 2013

Vote now for the chance to win a fantastic weekend away in England!

13 February 2013. Calling all lovers of Devon! Devon businesses, visitors to Devon and all Devon residents have the chance to show their support for the county and in particular for the county's very own Tourism Superstar. Voting has now opened to decide the winner of Tourism Superstar 2013, run by national tourist board VisitEngland. Following the announcement of the ten shortlisted candidates in January, VisitEngland is launching a public vote. Visit: http://www.visitengland.com/ee/Tourism-Superstar/ to watch a short film featuring Claire Preece, from Kents Cavern www.kents-cavern.co.uk together with the other potential superstars.

The award recognises the dedication and passion of those working in the tourism industry, and is awarded to an individual who goes above and beyond the call of duty to ensure visitors to England have a priceless experience. This year the award focuses on employees at English visitor attractions. Nominations were received from attractions throughout the country and there is a shortlist of ten. Claire Preece is the only finalist from Devon. The winner will be invited to attend VisitEngland's Awards for Excellence held in May.

Everyone who votes will be entered into a prize draw to win a weekend break for two in Brighton, including dinner, attractions passes and tickets to a show. The voting will be open until 8 March, and the winning Tourism Superstar will be announced during English Tourism Week 2013 (16-24 March).

Claire Preece said: "I'm so invigorated by this, I can't believe it. I just do what comes naturally to me. Customers are here to enjoy themselves and my approach is to give the level of service I expect to get from others. Of course, I'm not alone here. I work with a talented and enthusiastic team who know the business inside out and I've trained them to adopt my golden rule; smile, whatever happens!"

Nick Powe, 5th generation owner of this award winning, family-run South Devon attraction, said: "A vote for Claire is a vote for Devon. The thought of having the VisitEngland Tourism Superstar coming from Devon is very exciting. Kents Cavern may have some unique world-class claims to fame when it comes to prehistory and geology, and we are even recognised by UNESCO as part of the English Riviera Global Geopark, but when it comes to the experience visitors get, well Claire is our unique selling point. With everyone's help we can make sure Devon is the real winner here."

Carolyn Custerson, vice-chair of Visit Devon and CEO of the English Riviera Tourism Company said: "I am delighted for Claire. She sparkles with superstar qualities but to be shortlisted in the top 10 Tourism Superstars in England is an amazing achievement.

The winning Tourism Superstar will be invited to collect their award in person at VisitEngland's Awards for Excellence held in May this year, where a gathered audience from across the whole of the tourism industry can recognise the contribution frontline staff make to tourism across England.

For more information about the Devon Tourism Partnership, contact: Laura Holt

T/: 01237 426 426, M/: 07545 697004 or E/: lholt@northdevonplus.co.uk

For further press information:

Jane Adkins T/: 01935 813114

M/: 07960 698089

E/: jane@aheadforpr.co.uk

Notes to Editors:

• Vote for one of our Tourism Superstars for your chance to win a weekend break for two in Brighton, courtesy of VisitBrighton and VisitEngland. Prize includes train travel to Brighton, two nights' B&B accommodation, one dinner, attractions passes and tickets to a show.

• Accommodation to be two people sharing one room (double or twin), subject to availability excluding Bank Holidays and the Brighton Pride weekend (4-6 August).

• For more information visit .www.mirror.co.uk/tourismsuperstar

About VisitEngland

VisitEngland is the country's national tourist board. We work in partnership with the industry to develop the visitor experience across England, plan national tourism strategy, grow the value of tourism in England and provide advocacy for the industry and our visitors

Our work is underpinned by robust research and customer insights. You can access the latest in-depth market intelligence and statistics onwww.visitengland.org/insight-statistics   

For corporate information seewww.visitengland.organd for consumer information seewww.visitengland.com

About English Tourism Week

• English Tourism Week is led by the national tourist board, VisitEngland, and is an industry-wide initiative designed to shine a light on the importance of tourism in England. 

• The industry as whole is worth £97billion to the UK economy and supports over 2 million jobs. Hundreds of tourism organisations and businesses will put on events to celebrate English Tourism Week this year.

• For more information about English Tourism Week seewww.englishtourismweek.co.uk

The Devon Tourism Partnership

The Devon Tourism Partnership (DTP) comprises Devon County Council and the following Area Tourism Partnerships: North Devon Plus, English Riviera Tourism Company, Visit South Devon, Plymouth City Council, Dartmoor Partnership, Heart of Devon Tourism Partnership and also Devon Association of Tourism Attractions.

The role of the DTP is to protect and promote the Visit Devon brand, enabling the growth of the Devon tourism sector.

The key objectives of the partnership are;

• The promotion of the Visit Devon brand through co-ordinated marketing and PR campaigns as well as the provision of a Visit Devon website.

• Creating a Tourism Strategy for Devon which sets out the framework to develop Devon as a visitor destination.

• Ensuring that there is a quality product on offer to visitors, through accreditation, skills and awards.

• Monitoring the performance of Devon as a major tourism destination.

Feb 2013 (Visit Devon 094)