Public vote to help decide REYTAs winner for the first time

BusinessNews
Written By Rick Lyon

VOTE: The public can help decide a winner at this year’s REYTAs

By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor

Members of the public are being given the chance to help decide a winner at this year’s Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards (REYTAs) for the first time.

Organised by Visit Hull and East Yorkshire (VHEY), the REYTAs recognise excellence across the tourism sector and have become one of the region’s most prestigious events in the business awards calendar.

Throughout the 16-year history of the awards, winners have been decided by independent judges.

This year, however, the public will also have their say in the Remarkable Tourism Event of the Year category, sponsored by Hull Trains, with nine finalists competing for the award.

The results of the public vote will be combined with the independent judge’s scores to determine the overall winner, which will be announced at the awards ceremony at Bridlington Spa on November 18.

Chris Blacksell, chair of VHEY, the region’s accredited Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP), said: “This is an exciting opportunity for the public to have their say for the first time and cast their vote for the event they think should win.

“We’re going to really value their opinions because they’re the people who go to these events and have hopefully had fantastic experiences.

“The winner of that category will know the public has genuinely contributed to the decision, which is brilliant.”

Once the public vote closes on Wednesday, October 14, all nine finalists will be ranked according to the number of votes they have received.

The public vote results will then be combined with the independent judge’s scores to determine the overall winner.

VHEY, which is funded by Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council and supported by private sector organisations, has reported a record-breaking number of entries for 2026, with many new businesses entering for the first time.

The businesses represent the breadth of Hull and East Yorkshire’s visitor economy, ranging from established attractions, hotels and hospitality businesses to independent producers, events, experiences and some of the sector’s newest names.

CELEBRATION: The 2026 REYTAs will be held at Bridlington Spa

Councillor Jackie Dad, deputy leader of Hull City Council, said: “It’s fantastic that members of the public will be able to vote for their favourite Remarkable Tourism Event of the Year and help decide the winner.

“All nine finalists are so worthy of this accolade and bring so much to our region. I wish them all the best of luck and I’m really looking forward to seeing who wins on the night.”

The REYTAs awards ceremony will be hosted by Bridlington-born TV and radio star Jack Marriner-Brown, who appeared in series three of BBC hit The Traitors and is also a BBC Morning Live presenter and radio host on BBC Radio Humberside.

Eligible REYTAs winners will progress to the prestigious VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, giving businesses the opportunity to represent Hull and East Yorkshire on the national stage.

Councillor Nick Coultish, portfolio holder for culture, leisure and tourism at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “The REYTAs is an outstanding event and a true celebration of the region’s tourism champions. 

“It would be great to see the finalists get behind the public vote and encourage their supporters and followers to take part. All of the finalists are in with a fantastic chance.”

The REYTAs have been awarded ‘Outstanding’ in the Awards Trust Mark Accreditation, recognising their transparency, integrity and impact.

Fred Marketing is once again a headline sponsor of the REYTAs.

The finalists in the Remarkable Tourism Event of the Year category are:

  • Beverley Pride

  • Blue Light Weekend, Withernsea

  • Bridlington Ice Trail

  • Freedom Festival, Hull

  • Humber Street Sesh, Hull

  • H20 Heroes at The Deep, Hull

  • Paws in the Pasture at Tickton Farm

  • Pride in Hull

  • The Big Malarkey Festival, Hull Libraries

Voting for the Remarkable Tourism Event of the Year category closes at midnight on Wednesday, October 14.

Rick Lyon
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