Lake District tour operator Mountain Goat has won UKinbound's Sightseeing Operator of the Year.

UKinbound, a trade association representing the UK's inbound tourism industry, acknowledged the Windermere-based firm at its prestigious Awards for Excellence gala in Belfast City Hall.

Mountain Goat offers off the beaten track services throughout the North of England in its fleet of minibuses it operates tours from Chester, Liverpool, Manchester, York and throughout the Lake District.

Mountain Goats Group Sales and Marketing Manager Asia Connor was at the awards to accept the award.

She said: "We are delighted to have won the Sightseeing Operator of the Year Award at the prestigious UKInbound Awards Ceremony.

"The whole team at Mountain Goat are thrilled to be recognised for this award. It wouldn’t be possible without our fantastic customers, driver-guides, office, and garage team.

"We are so grateful for all the support we receive."

Boasting more than £26 billion revenue last year, the awards were witnessed with fervour by over 350 tourism and hospitality professionals.

Kurt Janson, formerly of The Tourism Alliance, Jason Edwards from Jason Edwards Travel, and Dr Karen Thomas, director of the Tourism and Events Research Hub at Canterbury Christ Church University, judged the contest following self-nomination.

UKinbound's Awards were part of the assembly's Annual Convention, held at Belfast's Assembly Buildings on September 20 and 21.

Featuring an impressive speaker line-up, including motivational speaker Jamil Qureshi; Ellvena Graham, Chair of Tourism Northern Ireland; and Patricia Yates, CEO, VisitBritain, the convention celebrated excellence in the roaring tourism sector.

Joss Croft OBE, CEO of UKinbound, added: “Last year, our inbound tourism industry saw over 31 million visits from international tourists to the UK who spent over £26 billion and our Awards for Excellence are a great opportunity to reward and celebrate the industry.

"Our members who work for businesses such as major attractions, tour operators, transport and accommodation providers have all worked incredibly hard over the last 12 months and made a significant contribution to the continuing success of the sector.

"We are delighted to name Mountain Goat as Sightseeing Operator of the Year.”