The Cumbria Tourism Awards 2024 has announced its finalists.

It is a landmark year for the awards, as 2024 is Cumbria Tourism’s 50th anniversary.

The annual awards shine a spotlight on the diverse and innovative businesses that contribute to Cumbria’s thriving tourist economy.

With 16 categories in play, the shortlisted nominees are overcoming challenges posed by escalating costs and recruitment issues on both a regional and national scale.

The shortlisted finalists will next undergo mystery shopping visits as part of the judging process before the winners are selected.

The winners will be announced during a VIP awards ceremony at Kendal's Castle Green Hotel on Tuesday, July 2.

BBC Radio Cumbria Breakfast presenter Mike Zeller is billed to host the event, held in conjunction with Electricity North West.

Winners of many of the award categories also stand a chance to participate in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2025.

Amongst the hard-fought awards include the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award sponsored by Cumberland Council, with Kendal Calling, Outdoor Mobility, and The Dock Museum, Barrow, being the top contenders.

Coming under the spotlight for the Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award are the likes of Kendal Calling, The Yan at Broadrayne, and The Quiet Site.

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year sees popular locales like Levens Hall, Kendal, Bassenthwaite Lake Station and Hawkshead Grammar School Museum nominated.

The George and Dragon Clifton, Queens Head Troutbeck, and Tweedies Bar & Lodge, Grasmere are vying for the Pub of the Year crown.

The Cumbria Tourism Awards 2024 will culminate in a special surprise presentation for the ‘Bernard Gooch Tourism Personality of the Year’.

This is an honour that acknowledges a lifetime of service and dedication.

Gill Haigh, managing director of Cumbria Tourism, said: “Our 2024 finalists are a fantastic mix of businesses from across the county who are demonstrating consistently high quality, service and care to our visitors.

"As 2024 is Cumbria Tourism’s milestone 50th anniversary year, it’s an extra-special time to celebrate individual businesses, but our wider world-class destination too.

“They have been whittled down to this hard-fought shortlist after being judged against VisitEngland’s strict scoring criteria and there’s no doubt the independent judging panel now have a very tough task on their hands to choose the ultimate winners!

“It will be a privilege to bring all the finalists together this July to mark their achievements and there’s no doubt the independent judging panel now have a very tough task on their hands to choose the ultimate winners.”

For more information, visit: www.cumbriatourism.org/awards.