Applications open for 2026/2027 Visit East Midlands Tourism Awards – Derbyshire

Tourism and hospitality businesses across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire are being invited to apply for the newly launched Visit East Midlands Tourism Awards 2026/2027, celebrating excellence across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire’s visitor economy.

Applications officially open on 15 June 2026, with businesses able to enter through one of two destination award programmes delivered by the East Midlands’ two VisitEngland-accredited Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs):

• Visit East Midlands Tourism Awards – Derbyshire
• Visit East Midlands Tourism Awards – Nottinghamshire

The Visit East Midlands Tourism Awards mark an exciting new chapter for tourism recognition across the region. Building on the established success of the Peak District, Derbyshire and Derby Tourism Awards and the Nottinghamshire Tourism Awards, the programme will continue to celebrate excellence at a destination level while creating a stronger regional platform to showcase the very best of the East Midlands visitor economy.

Delivered in partnership by the region’s two accredited LVEPs – Visit Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby and Visit Nottinghamshire – the awards will recognise outstanding businesses, attractions, experiences and individuals from across the East Midlands.

Businesses from across accommodation, attractions, food and drink, accessible tourism, business events, experiences and hospitality sectors are encouraged to apply, with eligible winners from each local awards programme progressing to the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.

The awards aim to showcase the innovation, quality, sustainability and customer experience delivered across the region’s tourism and hospitality industry while helping raise the profile of the East Midlands as a leading UK visitor destination.

Megan Powell Vreeswijk, CEO of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire including Visit Nottinghamshire, said:

“The launch of the Visit East Midlands Tourism Awards marks an exciting new chapter for tourism across our region. By bringing together our destination awards under a shared regional umbrella, we can further elevate the profile of our outstanding tourism and hospitality businesses while continuing to celebrate the individuality and strengths of destinations across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

These awards provide a fantastic opportunity for businesses of all sizes to gain recognition, benchmark excellence and showcase the incredible experiences they deliver for visitors every day.”

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, on behalf of the Visit Peak District, Derbyshire and Derby LVEP, said:

"The Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards have a proud track record of recognising and celebrating the businesses, organisations and individuals that make our destination such a special place to visit. The new Visit East Midlands Tourism Awards – Derbyshire build on that success, ensuring Derbyshire continues to have its own dedicated awards programme while benefiting from greater regional visibility and collaboration.

"Our visitor economy is home to world-class accommodation providers, attractions, restaurants, experiences and tourism professionals. These awards are an opportunity to showcase that excellence, celebrate achievement and inspire businesses to continue raising standards for visitors. We encourage businesses of all sizes to enter and take advantage of the recognition, profile and opportunities that the awards can bring."

Applications close at 23:59 on Sunday 26 July 2026.

Further information on categories, eligibility criteria and how to enter can be found below:

On the Visit Peak District and Derbyshire website: https://visitpeakdistrict.com/industry/events/category/tourism-awards 

On the Visit Nottinghamshire website: https://www.visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk/nottinghamshire-tourism-awards