Lancaster University Management School backs new Family Business Tourism Award
A new family-focused award, celebrating Lancashire families who own or run a tourism or hospitality businesses in Lancashire, has been created by Marketing Lancashire in partnership with the Centre for Family Business in Lancaster University Management School.
The annual Lancashire Tourism Awards celebrate the £3.51billion* contribution that the sector makes to the local economy, as well as the people and businesses that make it such a success.
The new Family Owned/Run Business Award** is one of 24 awards recognising excellence in tourism and hospitality, which are now open for applications; the winners will be announced at the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2023, to be held at Blackburn’s King George’s Hall on Tuesday 6 February 2024.
Marketing Lancashire believes the county has a wealth of diverse family-run businesses across the sector, that deserve to be recognised for their often lifelong commitment to tourism in Lancashire; from family hotels whose heritage and experience has attracted loyal visitors over many years, to families entering the industry with the intention of building a sustainable tourism event, attraction or business for their families and future generations of visitors.
Dr Allan Discua Cruz, Director of the Centre for Family Business, said: “Lancashire’s tourism industry benefits from the experiences, products and services that many family businesses provide. Each of these businesses has its own story to tell, achievements to celebrate, and challenges to be overcome.
“The Centre for Family Business has worked with many such companies to help them tackle important issues, and the new Family Business Award is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the families who help to make our county such a special place for visitors.”
This year, as well as the new Family Owned/Run Business Award, Lancaster University Management School is supporting another three award categories: the Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award, the Resilience & Innovation Award, and the Ethical Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award.
Professor Claire Leitch, Executive Dean of Lancaster University Management School, said: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with the Lancashire Tourism Awards. As a School, we are committed to working with businesses across Lancashire and the North West, helping them to succeed, passing on our knowledge and learning from their vast wealth of experiences.
“Through sponsoring the Sustainability, Accessibility and Resilience Awards, and working with Marketing Lancashire to introduce the new Family Business Award, we can shed light on those companies who are achieving success in areas that are important not just to themselves but to the wider community.
“We look forward to meeting businesses operating across the region as part of the judging process, and continuing to build valuable relationships that can benefit us all.”
All qualifying tourism and hospitality businesses in Lancashire who wish to apply, must do so before midnight on Sunday 16 July. The criteria for entry and application forms for all 24 awards categories can be found on lancashiretourismawards.com Those that may not have applied before, or would like to brush up on their application skills, are invited to join an online Applications Masterclass on Wednesday 28th June at 3pm. Details for the Masterclass can be found in the key dates section on the website.
Maria Moriarty-Eames, Head of Partnership at Marketing Lancashire said; “We have worked closely with Lancaster University Management School and have built a strategic and meaningful partnership and we are especially pleased to have developed the new category for family businesses with them this year.
“We probably all know of a tourism business where the whole family, sometimes quietly, often seamlessly to the outside world, combine their individual skills to deliver excellence. This new award aims to bring these unique, successful family dynamics to the fore and to give them the attention they deserve.
“We thank Lancaster University for supporting the new Family Owned/Run Tourism Business Award and look forward to meeting a whole host of talented Lancashire families committed to a future in Lancashire tourism.”
Supporters and sponsors of the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2023 include: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council (Host Sponsor), Blackpool & The Fylde College, Burnley FC Conferences and Events, Creative Venue Stylist, DFC, Harrison Drury Solicitors, Insight6, Lancashire Business View, Lancaster University Management School, Links Signs and Graphics, Northern Print Distribution Ltd, The Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business, Total Foodservice and University of Central Lancashire (Headline Sponsor).
If you are interested in sponsoring or supporting the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2023 email Maria Moriarty-Eames [email protected] and follow @MarketingLancs on twitter for all the latest #LTA23 news.
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For more information on all the awards, key dates and application forms go to LancashireTourismAwards.com
*Figure from the most recent annual STEAM report for Lancashire
**For the purpose of this award, family business is defined as: ‘A business where members of a family own enough of the equity to be able to exert control over strategy and are involved in top management positions’