Blenheim Palace named Individual Attraction of the Year at UKinbound’s Awards for Excellence 2023

UKinbound, a trade association that represents the interests of the UK’s inbound tourism industry – which generated over £26 billion last year for the UK economy – awarded Blenheim Palace the accolade of Individual Attraction of the Year at its Awards for Excellence event last night. 

The award was presented in front of over 350 tourism and hospitality professionals at the annual Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner, which took place at Belfast City Hall. 

Following self-nomination, the winners were decided by a panel of independent judges from across the tourism industry – Kurt Janson, former director of The Tourism Alliance; Jason Edwards, Jason Edwards Travel; and Dr Karen Thomas, director, Tourism and Events Research Hub, Canterbury Christ Church University. 

Heather Carter, Managing Director, Visitor Attraction at Blenheim Palace, said: “Winning this award truly means a lot to us as it is testament to the hard work, dedication and passion of each and every department that makes Britain’s Greatest Palace all that it is today. It is an honour to be crowned among an impressive shortlist of visitor attractions creating such fierce competition and fantastic to come together as an industry to celebrate our world-class tourism businesses.”

Joss Croft OBE, CEO UKinbound said: “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 Blenheim Palace as our Individual Attraction of the Year.”

The Awards for Excellence were presented during the association’s Annual Convention which took place at the Assembly Buildings in Belfast on Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 September. The event featured an influential line-up of speakers including psychologist and motivational speaker Jamil Qureshi; Ellvena Graham, Chair of Tourism Northern Ireland and Patricia Yates, CEO, VisitBritain.