‘It’s a room full of positivity and generosity. It’s an incredible celebration and there’s nothing quite like it’
Pride in Hull won the Remarkable Tourism Event of the Year Award at the REYTAs in 2025(Image: Lyon PR)
Former winners of top tourism awards are urging businesses to seize “gold dust” opportunities by entering the 2026 award. Scooping Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards (REYTAs) has “meant the world” to a string of regional businesses, saying the experience opened up new opportunities and gave them a huge profile boost.
This year’s REYTAs – the 16th annual event – will be held at Bridlington Spa later this year, bringing together hundreds of people from across the visitor economy to celebrate the businesses and people helping make Hull and East Yorkshire one of the UK’s most exciting destinations.
Organised by Visit Hull and East Yorkshire (VHEY), the REYTAs recognise excellence across every corner of the tourism sector, from attractions and accommodation providers to restaurants, pubs, events, visitor experiences and local producers.
And previous winners say the profile boost they got from the awards has been “like gold dust”, as they encourage businesses from across the region to enter this year, describing the recognition and opportunities they received as invaluable.
Pride in Hull and Gemini Chocolate, both winners at the 2025 REYTAs, have spoken about the difference winning has made – from raising their profile and opening new opportunities to strengthening partnerships and boosting confidence.
Pride in Hull, which won the Remarkable Tourism Event of the Year Award in 2025, brought thousands of people together in Hull for the 25th anniversary of the city holding a Pride event. Last year Hull also hosted the national UK Pride Organisers’ Network Conference, welcoming around 200 other Pride organisations.
Andy Train, Pride in Hull Chair of Trustees, said: “We’ve all worked so hard as volunteers over the years and this event is now classed as one of the main six events in the city. We’d been a finalist in the REYTAs for a few years but to win last year was really special. It made our year and was the icing on the cake.
“If anyone is wondering whether to enter or not, please do as the profile it raises in the wider community is like gold dust. It’s a room full of positivity and generosity. It’s an incredible celebration and there’s nothing quite like it.
“To be among friends at an event like this is fantastic, and we’re proud and pleased to be part of the wonderful dynamic we have in this area.”
Meanwhile, Beverley-based chocolatier Gemini Chocolate, which turns Peruvian cacao into handcrafted chocolate, won the Remarkable Regenerative Tourism Award at last year’s REYTAs.
Manager Becky Walker said: “The REYTAs are some of the most influential awards in the region, so to be recognised alongside businesses that are all striving to make a positive difference felt incredibly special. It meant the world to us to win – as a small company, it was a huge moment for us. We hope it shows other independent businesses that you don’t need vast resources to make a difference, just a willingness to be conscious of your impact and to put yourself forward.
“Winning has opened so many doors for us. We’ve received offers to collaborate, enquiries from businesses wanting to stock our products, and invitations to speak at events about our chocolate and our sustainability journey.
“The award has given us greater visibility and confidence, helping us reach new audiences while reinforcing the values we’ve always believed in.”
Encouraging other businesses to enter this year’s awards, Becky added: “You won’t regret it. The REYTAs are a fantastic celebration of everything that makes our region special. It’s an opportunity to make connections you may never have made otherwise, share your story, and gain recognition alongside other incredible local businesses.
“Winning was the cherry on top for us, but even without taking home an award, you’ll leave with a real sense of community, support and pride in being part of Yorkshire’s business landscape.”
Eligible winners of the REYTAs progress to the prestigious VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, helping showcase Hull and East Yorkshire on the national stage. Judging will once again include independent judging panels and mystery shopper assessments.
The deadline for tourism and hospitality businesses to enter this year’s awards is midnight on Friday, July 31, with the exception of the Remarkable Tourism Event of the Year category, which closes on Monday, August 31. The event will take place at Bridlington Spa on Wednesday, November 18.
Businesses can enter one or more of the 16 award categories at the awards website here.
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