#VoteSueCopp for national Tourism Superstar Award

31 January 2015

Public voting opens today (Saturday 31 January ) to decide the winner of England’s Tourism Superstar 2015, run by national tourist board VisitEngland and supported by the Daily Mirror. 

Lancashire’s own Tourism Superstar Sue Copp, Guest Service & Inclusion Manager at Sandcastle Waterpark in Blackpool, won her Lancashire ‘crown’ at the Lancashire Tourism Awards in November and is now one of just ten shortlisted candidates for this prestigious national award.

Sue now needs people across the whole county to cast their vote.  Colleagues in the industry, residents and the 63 Million visitors who choose to visit Lancashire each year, are now in the position to help make Sue Copp England’s Tourism Superstar.   

Each finalist has made their case to the public in a short film now featured on the Mirror website, where the public can also cast their vote. Voting closes on Saturday 28 February with the winner announced on March 14th, the first day of English Tourism Week (14 – 22nd March) with the winner invited to attend VisitEngland’s Awards for Excellence held this May at The Sage, Gateshead.

“Sue’s work at Sandcastle Waterpark in Blackpool absolutely deserves national recognition” comments Ruth Connor, Chief Executive of Marketing Lancashire “We were so pleased to highlight Sue’s superb customer service skills at the LancashireTourism Awards 2014 where she won the title Lancashire Tourism Superstar. We urge Lancashire to #VoteSueCopp to reward her for the invaluable contribution she makes to the visitor experience. Her love of people is evident in everything she does and that’s a very special gift.”    

Tourism Superstar was launched three years ago as part of English Tourism Week (this year running 14-22 March) and recognises the dedication and passion of those working in the tourism industry. The accolade is awarded to an individual who goes above and beyond the call of duty to ensure visitors to England have an unforgettable experience. 

John Child, Managing Director of Sandcastle Waterpark said “Sue has worked at Sandcastle Waterpark for 20 years and is a hardworking, talented and dedicated individual, with the ability to extend her kindness to everybody.  She is an inspiration to our whole team”.  

“As well as dedicating almost 50 years to Blackpool’s tourism industry, Sue has worked tirelessly for the community and is passionate about delivering accessible tourism at Sandcastle. We believe there’s no-one more deserving of this national accolade. Sue is our Tourism Superstar, we now have the opportunity to transform her into England’s Tourism Superstar. Please #VoteSueCopp ! ”

Domestic tourism in England currently supports an impressive 2.6million jobs and these nominees truly showcase and celebrate the individuals who are helping the country’s tourist industry to thrive.

Cllr Graham Cain, Blackpool Council’s cabinet member for tourism and leisure, said: “I’m delighted to hear that Sue has been shortlisted.This is a huge credit to both her and all the staff at the Sandcastle Waterpark who do a wonderful job in welcoming visitors. I would urge everyone in Blackpool and Lancashire as well as fans of the Sandcastle everywhere to get behind her by voting.”

Tourism Minister Helen Grant said: "Huge congratulations to the fantastic superstars shortlisted. Record numbers of tourists are visiting us, so it’s brilliant to see people rewarded for going the extra mile to give a great welcome. I hope that showcasing the careers of these superstars will inspire others to seize opportunities in this fast growing industry.” 

The shortlisted superstars are:

Andrew Archibald     – Doorman at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester 

Mark Brattle            – Head Falconer at Leeds Castle in Kent 

Sue Copp               – Guest Service & Inclusion Manager at Sandcastle Waterpark, in  Blackpool  Lancashire

Chris Green           – Zoo Keeper at The Cotswold’s Wildlife Park and Gardens in Burford, Oxfordshire

Matthew                –Engagement & Participation Team Assistant at Beamish Museum in 
Henderson              County Durham

Katie Neville         – Period Interpreter at Shakespeare’s Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon

Gerry O’ Brien     – Publican of The Churchill Arms in London 

Clive Phillips         – English Heritage Steward at Wellington Arch, London 

Kevin Shurmer     – Museum Sales and Interpretation Assistant at STEAM Museum of the Great Western Railway in Swindon, Wiltshire

Angela Tidmarsh    – Tourism Officer at Wychavon District Council in Worcestershire

Vote Now for Lancashire’s Tourism Superstar Sue Copp at mirror.co.uk/tourismsuperstar  voting closes on Saturday 28 February.

Photo shows: Sue Copp, winner of Lancashire Tourism Awards 2014 Tourism Superstar, with Helen Grant MP, Minister for Sport, Tourism & Equalities on a recent visit to Lancashire.

<<ENDS>>

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Anna Izza, Head of PR and Communications   01772 426 459
Laura Crabb, PR and Communications Executive 01772 426 456
     

Notes to Editors

1.    Marketing Lancashire is the Destination Management Organisation (DMO) for Lancashire, established (1st April 2012).   Our activities in marketing and communications, commercial membership and place marketing are all designed to grow the visitor economy and develop the profile of Lancashire as the first choice destination to visit, live, study, work and invest in.

Lancashire attracts 63 million visitors who contributed around £3.5 billion to the local economy and help support 56,137 jobs.  

2.    Sandcastle Waterpark is the UK's Largest Indoor Waterpark with over 18 slides and attractions. The team at Sandcastle Waterpark is committed to Guest Service Excellence and Tourism for All.

3.    VisitBlackpool is the tourism arm of Blackpool Council and is tasked with promoting the UK's most popular holiday destination to leisure and business visitors, both domestically and internationally.

4.    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 on www.visitengland.org/insight-statistics for corporate information see www.visitengland.org and for consumer information see www.visitengland.com

5.    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 £106billion to the UK economy and supports 2.5 million jobs. Hundreds of tourism organisations and businesses will be putting on events to celebrate English Tourism Week this year. For more information about English Tourism Week see www.englishtourismweek.co.uk

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