Destination Harrogate is officially an award-winning destination management organisation. And celebrating after winning the Tourism Award at the Harrogate Business Excellence Awards 2022.

Now in their 17th year, the Harrogate Business Awards aim to recognise and celebrate the high level of business excellence in the Harrogate district. Award categories cover a broad base and include Best Independent Business, Best Rural Business, Sustainable Business Award and Technology Development Award amongst others, with entries judged by an independent panel of individuals from across the Harrogate district’s business community.

The Tourism Award is given to the organisation that can demonstrate the most significant contribution to improving the Harrogate district’s offering as a tourism destination in the award period.

Destination Harrogate won the award category for ‘Destination Christmas’, a successful and multi-faceted 2021 marketing campaign which, despite the challenges of the pandemic, attracted more visitors to the Harrogate district at Christmas time – a crucial time for businesses – to the benefit of local businesses; increased awareness of the Harrogate district as a perfect place to visit in the pre-Christmas period; and raised awareness of the district more generally as a first choice destination to visit for short breaks.

Planning is already well underway for Destination Harrogate’s next ‘Destination Christmas’ campaign and you can find out more here.

As well as a celebration of achievement throughout challenging times, the awards ceremony, which took place in person for the first time in two years following the pandemic, provided networking opportunities for local businesses and individuals from across the Harrogate district to catch up on current and future business plans in a face-to-face environment.

This year, Destination Harrogate supported the event by sponsoring the new Best Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Business Award, acknowledging the particular challenges faced by the sector while the pandemic was at its height.

Recognising the significant number of leisure and retail businesses that serve the local communities, as well as drive tourism, the award highlights excellence within the industry sector and was given to the HRH group, whose portfolio across the Harrogate district includes the White Hart Hotel, the Yorkshire, the Pickled Sprout and the Fat Badger.

Harrogate Business Awards Tourism Award
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