TOURISM in East Lancashire has been given a boost after receiving several nominations for the 'Oscars' of the tourism industry - the prestigious North West Tourism Awards.
The Inn at Whitewell, near Clitheroe, has been shortlisted for the best small hotel award and the McDonald Dunkenhalgh, Clayton-le-Moors, for the best hotel award.
In the self-catering holiday category, both the Coach House, Bashall Eaves, and Higher Gills Farm, Clitheroe, have been nominated.
And Blackburn's Shalom Bed and Breakfast has also been shortlisted for the Tourism for All award.
Originally the Keeper of the Forest's house in the 18th century, the Inn at Whitewell relies on a reputation that precedes itself, according to awards accessors.
They add: "It is in a very fortunate position of not needing to run promotional campaigns and have a high customer satisfaction level."
The McDonald Dunkenhalgh Hotel is a 700-year-old country house set in parkland.
Award accessors say: "It is an historic home which has been restored to provide virtually every contemporary creature comfort and business and leisure facility.
"Sales are growing in double figures and there is a high demand for business and social events, which has been matched by an increase in complementary letters and repeat booking level of 80 per cent."
The Ribble Valley has two nominations in the self-catering category.
In only its second year of business the Coach House, situated on an organic farm just outside Clitheroe, opened in time for the Millennium celebrations.
It offers guests complete privacy and prides itself on offering guests a peaceful environment and "an ambience you can't beat".
Clitheroe's Higher Gills Farm, which has also been shortlisted, is a working farm near the foot of Pendle Hill and offers "magnificent panoramic views" of the Forest of Bowland and the Ribble Valley.
A total of 22 tourism establishments in Lancashire have been shortlisted for the awards, outstripping county competitors, with Cheshire receiving nine nominations, Merseyside, 11 and Manchester, 13.
The awards ceremony takes place on Thursday October 4 at the Radisson SAS Hotel and Resort at Manchester Airport.
The winners will be entered in the English Tourism Council's awards later this year.
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