TOURISM businesses across the Cotswolds are being urged to enter an awards which celebrates both their quality and importance to economy of the area.

This year marks the sixth year of the prestigious Cotswold Tourism awards which are aligned with VisitEngland’s National Awards for Excellence.

The launch coincides with an exciting time in the creation of the new Cotswolds Tourism Destination Management Organisation - the official tourism partnership for the area.

And partnership manager of the organisation, Susie Hunt is urging businesses to take part.

She said: “The annual Cotswolds Tourism awards are a fantastic way to highlight the cream of Cotswolds tourism businesses: “They are about identifying and celebrating the best of the best, and a great way to recognise the hard work and energy our tourism providers put in to this essential industry, worth an estimated £1bn a year to the local economy.”

There are fifteen categories for 2016, including Bed and Breakfast/Guest Accommodation of the Year, Self Catering Holiday Provider of the Year The gold winners from each category will be eligible to go forward to the VisitEngland national awards in January.

Business have until Friday, October 16 to enter the awards, and full details and an application form can be found at www.cotswolds.com/awards.

Judging takes place in late October and November with our local winners announced in mid-November.

As well as appointing a chief executive, who will join the team in October, the Cotswolds Tourism Destination Management Organisation is working on a brand new website to replace the old Cotswolds.com.

For further information contact cotswoldstourism@cotswold.gov.uk or call the Tourism team on 01285 623000.