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Access for All Tourism Award

This award is for tourism businesses that have harnessed the high value accessible tourism market by providing access for all visitors, particularly people with impairments and other physical and sensory access needs.

Please make sure that you complete the application form as fully as possible, failure to do so may mean that we are unable to shortlist your application.

Access for All Tourism Award

Who can enter?Any business directly involved in tourism is eligible. This includes – accommodation providers, visitor attractions, restaurant/cafes, other retail outlets, tourist information providers, transport providers and other types of businesses that are part of the visitor economy. Any accommodation provider wishing to enter must hold a valid quality assessment rating by either VisitEngland, the AA or other recognised rating organisation. Attractions must be signed up to the Code of Practice for Visitor attractions or be part of the VAQAS standard.

Entries will demonstrate exceptional customer service to all, be distinctive and stand out. There should be evidence of an Access Plan/Strategy and if an accommodation business, preferably have been assessed under the National Accessible Scheme (NAS) or introduced criteria as described within the NAS.

Previous Awards Winners and FinalistsPrevious Award Winners and Finalists are no longer excluded from entering the following year’s competition. Applicants will be required to give full details of all Awards received, on the application form.

Judging The first stage of judging is based on evaluations of the written applications and evidence

which must be submitted by hard and electric copy. A shortlist of entrants is selected from the written applications, who may then receive a

judging visit. Shortlisted parties will have the chance to win Gold, Silver, Bronze or Highly Commended in each award category, however, please note, just because a business is shortlisted, it doesn’t mean that it will win an award.

Announced visits will be undertaken to all shortlisted businesses. It should be noted however that for some categories such as ‘Tourism Event’ which may be

retrospectively submitted for consideration, the assessment will be a desk based exercise. Businesses will be notified in late September 2015, if they are shortlisted. Judges will be looking for evidence of excellence and best practice in all areas of business

operations. A word limit has been set for each section/question and it is strongly recommended you keep

your entry to the stated word count. Any claims made in applications must be substantiated and may be subject to testing by

judges. Judges and Judging panels will be comprised of representatives appointed for their

extensive experience and knowledge of the region and/or the tourism Industry.

Supporting evidence Whilst it is not a requirement of entry, we encourage you to provide supporting material and

evidence to help the judges fully understand and assess your application. All applications and supporting material should be supplied by electronic and hard

copy. Evidence must be clearly referenced to the appropriate question. Evidence that is poorly

presented or not clearly referenced will not be considered. Consider providing relevant supporting evidence such as photographs, extracts of marketing

initiatives/collateral, brochures, menus, training plans & awards, press cuttings, examples of customer letters, examples of feedback forms, staff newsletters, access/green policies, access statement, etc. providing that they can be supplied electronically. All support material must be attached using common Microsoft formats or as PDFs.

Please do not overdo the amount of information you provide, and do not provide DVD’s, CD’s, Videos, etc. The judges will not consider these at the initial judging stage. We may, if appropriate, ask for these at a later stage.

Next StepsComplete the application form and return a hard copy and an electronic copy to us with any supporting information by following the submit instructions on the website no later than 4pm on Friday 04th September, 2015.

Terms & Conditions

By submitting an entry into the North East England Tourism Awards, you agree to be bound by the following terms and conditions:

The closing date for receipt of entries is 4pm on Friday 04th September, 2015. Employees or representatives/agents of VisitEngland are not eligible for entry into the

Awards Businesses can enter more than one category, but separate entry forms and

supplementary information must be completed for each. Each category may have additional eligibility criteria such as a specific Quality Rating or

Quality Award. Please check the ‘Who can enter’ section above for more information. By entering the Awards, you agree to be part of the publicity if you are shortlisted in any

category. Please note that NewcastleGateshead Initiative or their agents, do not accept

responsibility for the return of any entries and/or supplementary information, including those consisting of artistic or other material.

The judges’ decisions are final and they cannot enter into discussion about the shortlisting process, choice of finalists or choice of winners.

In the event of any dispute regarding the awards criteria, application forms, judging process or any other matter relating to the Awards, the decision of the judges shall be final and no correspondence or discussion shall be entered into.

All businesses entering the competition will be given written feedback from the judges.

Access for All Tourism Award

Contact DetailsContact Name:      

Business/Property Name:      

Business Type:      

Address:      

     

     

Telephone:      

Mobile:      

Email:      

Website      

PR Contact Details (if different from above)

     

     

Business DetailsHow long has the business been operating (Yrs & Months)      

Do you have a National Quality Assurance (NQAS/VAQAS) Rating      

How many Staff do you employ: (Show proprietors/owners + Full + Part time)      

Give details of any periods the property/business is closed:      

Accessibility Awards/Accreditation (Max 150 words)Do you hold any awards or independent accreditation rating relating to the accessibility of your business/service? If so please give details and dates achieved. NB Details of all previous applications to the VisitEngland Awards for this category must be disclosed here.

     

Give a brief history of your business/service (max 200 words)

     

Finalists will demonstrate exceptional commitment to excellence in accessibility, quality, customer care and business practices in the following areas:

1: Your Commitment to Excellence in Accessibility (max 200 words):Describe your values, philosophy and commitment to excellence/best practice in accessibility, and tell us what you think puts you above the competition and at the top of your sector for accessibility.

     

2: Establishing an Accessible Business (max 250 words):1. Describe how you have identified the accessibility features required by your visitors, e.g.

independent/self audit/survey, comment card, questionnaire, use of standards, disability group input.

2. Detail any action plan, on-going improvement plan or similar you have implemented to improve accessibility.

     

3: Customer Service and Disability Awareness Training (max 300 words):Describe your approach to customer service and give specific examples in relation to people with access needs. Give examples of how you handle enquiries, visitor welcome and arrival, the stay/visit itself and departure e.g. testimonials. Also describe how you deal with complaints.

How do you ensure that you and any staff are access aware and have the key skills and knowledge to meet the requirements of people with access needs?Give examples of any specific training e.g. Welcome All, British Sign Language.

     

4: Providing Accessible Facilities and Services (max 400 words):What facilities and services does your business/service have in place to accommodate the following groups of people?

The ageing population, guests who rely on balance aids Visually or Hearing impaired Temporary impaired (e.g. broken limb or people who have had a mild stroke) Long term medical conditions (e.g. diabetics) Families with pushchairs Guests with a learning disability/disabilities Guests with allergies Guests who use wheelchairs either permanently or occasionally Guests who travel with a carer and/or need mechanical assistance

     

5: Information Provision and Promotion (max 300 words):Please provide evidence of how you promote your business/service, and within this, how you detail the accessibility of facilities and services. Attach your Access Statement as a minimum. Also provide electronic copies of any printed literature e.g. brochure/leaflet.Give details of any literature that is available in alternative formats such as Braille, Large print and Audio. State how your website has been made accessible to all e.g. does your website meet accessibility guidelines? Website accessibility and availability of access information will be reviewed as part of this section.

     

6: Accessibility Innovation (max 200 words):Give details of any innovative ways you have enhanced the experience of people with access needs. This may be where innovation has been used to overcome the physical restriction of a building but also includes innovative services provided for people with access needs.

     

7: Sustainability (max 300 words):: Sustainability. Give specific examples of how your business is embracing sustainability. In particular in the following areas (note; all areas must be covered)

The local economy (local purchasing, local produce. Employing local people, supporting other local businesses

Residents and visitors (forging links, local community groups or schools, connecting with charities, encouraging access for all in employment and or visitors

The environment (managing energy, waste or water consumption

Please describe how you communicate your efforts to make your business more sustainable and how you encourage guests and employees to get involved.3.

A brief outline of your business (max 150 words):

All shortlisted applicants will be featured in the North East England Tourism Awards, Awards Ceremony Programme. Please provide us with a brief outline of your business that will be printed in the programme.

Please also submit one image that will also be printed in the programme.