More than 30 different companies and venues have been named as finalists in the 2023 West Midlands Tourism Awards.
They include well-known large sites such as Coventry Cathedral and Birmingham's Grand Hotel and smaller operators like Achill Guest House & Spa in Solihull and Riverside Cabins in Shrewsbury (scroll down for the full shortlist).
The annual awards, which are organised by inward investment agency West Midlands Growth Company, will celebrate achievement across 14 different categories at a ceremony in March, with finalists from a broad range of sectors including arts, accommodation and heritage.
As well as regional success, the winners on the night will automatically be entered in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2023 for the chance to be recognised on a national level.
West Midlands Growth Company is responsible for delivering the Business and Tourism Programme which is a three-year initiative aiming to leverage the profile of the 2022 Commonwealth Games to attract more tourists and major events to this region and wider UK.
Andrew Lovett, chairman of the West Midlands tourism and hospitality advisory board, said: "The West Midlands Tourism Awards are once again set to honour those venues that make this region such an impressive and welcoming place to visit. Applications for these awards really do test the judges to undertake the most careful of analysis before arriving at the best of the best. In this respect, all nominations can be enormously proud.
"It's been a significant year for the West Midlands, with Coventry wowing arts fans during its memorable 12 months as UK City of Culture, and the breathtaking 2022 Commonwealth Games attracting more than five million visitors to Birmingham city centre during the two-week sporting spectacle.
"While many people came for the games, it was the offering and welcome of our West Midlands tourism and hospitality venues which really struck a chord with visitors. Despite the strong headwinds affecting all our daily lives at the moment, we look forward with eager anticipation to celebrating our fantastic tourism offer and the people who have helped to make 2022 such a vibrant year."
It is estimated the tourism sector contributed £10.1 billion to the West Midlands' economy last year, attracting 102.3 million visitors as it started to recover from the outbreak and impact of the Covid pandemic. It supported more than 101,000 full-time equivalent jobs.
The 2023 West Midlands Tourism Awards takes place on March 16 at Grand Station in Wolverhampton, with comedian Shazia Mirza as host and entertainment from The Peaky Blinders band.
The full awards shortlist is:
Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award
Burlton Cottages, Shrewsbury
St Mary's Guildhall, Coventry
Business Events Venue of the Year
Coventry Building Society Arena
The Belfry Hotel, Sutton Coldfield
The ICC, Birmingham
Camping, Glamping, Holiday Park & Small Serviced Accommodation Provider of the Year
Achill Guest House & Spa, Solihull
Riverside Cabins, Shrewsbury
Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award
Riverside Cabins, Shrewsbury
Staying Cool at Rotunda, Birmingham
The NEC, Solihull
Experience of the Year
Bear Grylls Adventure, Solihull
Go Cotswolds, Warwickshire
Large Hotel of the Year
Clayton Hotel, Birmingham
Hilton Birmingham Metropole, Solihull
The Grand Hotel, Birmingham
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
Coventry Cathedral
Midlands Art Centre, Birmingham
The NEC, Solihull
New Tourism Business Award
Roundhouse, Birmingham
Telegraph Hotel, Coventry
The Reel Store, Coventry
Pub of the Year
Dhillons Brewery, Coventry
The Howard Arms, Warwickshire
Resilience & Innovation Award
Albany Theatre, Coventry
Clayton Hotel, Birmingham
Ironbridge View Townhouse
Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year
Burlton Cottages, Shrewsbury
Eaton Manor Country Estate, Church Stretton
Riverside Cabins, Shrewsbury
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
Escape Live, Birmingham
HMV Empire, Coventry
National Trust - Birmingham Back to Backs
Taste of the West Midlands
Fazenda Rodizio Bar & Grill, Birmingham
Hooray's Gelato Kitchen, Stratford-Upon-Avon
The Barn at Berryfields, Coventry
Tourism Event/Festival of the Year
Birmingham Cocktail Weekend
Coventry City of Culture
Shrewsbury Food Festival
