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Visit London Awards                      (Events)



Londoners voted Sir Michael Caine "London’s Favourite Londoner" at the recent 2008 Visit London Awards, in recognition of Sir Michael’s outstanding contribution to film and television. A string of businesses were voted winners by a panel of cross-industry experts at host venue, the Royal Albert Hall. Sat Bal spoke to some of the winners. (8 Dec'08)

The Visit London Awards have now entered year five with this year's event sponsored by Virgin Atlantic. Each year Visit London honours excellence in London tourism and also rewards leaders in entertainment, creativity and innovation. Accepting his accolade, Sir Michael said: “London is the world’s best city and I am honoured to be receiving this Award, voted for by Londoners themselves. I am a lifelong Londoner and consider being born here as one of the greatest things to have happened to me.”


The awards ceremony was hosted by 95.8 Capital FM’s Breakfast Show duo Johnny Vaughan and Lisa Snowdon and included a key address by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. “I am delighted to be hosting the 2008 Visit London Awards," said Vaughan. "London is the greatest city on earth and these Awards are the ultimate celebration of our capital.”

Mayor Boris Johnson addressed the guests who were entertained by Heather Small and blast from the past, Right Said Fred.

Science Museum : Visitor Attraction - Gold

The Science Museum's  achievements include its reinvented interactive gallery, Launchpad – which has attracted 1.2 million visitors in its first year.

The awards recognised the Museum as a unique venue for hosting events.
             (Above) Science Museum team accepts Gold

Its scenic galleries and themed spaces mark it out from hotels and venues with purpose built facilities and larger capacity.

Molly Jackson, Head of NMSI Trading, Science Museum : "We are utterly delighted to have won this prestigious award. It is a testament to the hard work of all staff at Science Museum and goes to show that the Science Museum is a brilliant free day out in London and the greatest place to enjoy science in the world."


Maritz : Business Event of the Year - Gold

Performance improvement company Maritz was awarded Gold for the organisation of Toyota’s European Retailer Meeting (ERM), an event held at ExCel for almost 6,000 delegates from throughout Europe.

Maritz organised travel and hotel bookings, delegate registration, ground transportation, catering arrangements and a social programme for the event held in May this year.

The category was sponsored by leading event crewing company, Gallowglass.

Nick Bender, MD of Maritz/Director, Grass Roots : "We are thrilled to bits to win this prestigious award. We run many events worldwide, but London always has a special place in our hearts. Toyota’s ERM was on an impressive scale which enabled us to showcase the best of London’s amazing landmarks and develop our relationship further with Excel."


Apex Hotels : Large Hotel of the Year - Gold


Apex Hotels collected a Gold in the Large Hotel of the Year category for the
Apex City of London hotel. Opened in 2005 with 130 bedrooms, it has recently added a further 49 bedrooms to its contemporary and stylish setting. Building an enviable reputation among leisure operators, Apex have remained a firm favorite for those staying in the city.

Yousif Al-Wagga, General Manager , Apex City of London Hotel :
“Winning this award for Apex is a proud moment for me, the Apex City of London Hotel has been transformed into one of London’s most highly acclaimed hotels and I am privileged to work with such a dedicated and professional team. The hotel was up against some tough competition and Apex is delighted with the win."



Jumeirah Carlton Tower : Large Hotel - Silver

The Jumeirah Carlton Tower’s Silver accreditation was honoured in recognition of its commitment to excellence through accommodation, service and dining, and its consideration for investment in staff development, environmental policies, disabled access and innovative marketing.

Derek Picot, Regional General Manager, Jumeirah :
“We are delighted to have received this accreditation in recognition of our continued commitment to our guests, both local and overseas, and of course our fabulous city. I’m incredibly proud of my entire team who all deserve congratulations for the part they have played in helping Jumeirah Carlton Tower to Stay Different.”




Logistik : Business Event of the Year - Bronze

Leading design and communications agency Logistik won the Bronze Award for the Lloyds TSB Share Fair conference.

Logistik created a large-scale three day event for Lloyds TSB at Earls Court in London, to engage 1,000 delegates per day from Lloyds TSB’s Wholesale & International Banking (W&IB) division with key business messages.

James Wilkins, Group Director, Logistik : "The team at Logistik delivered an exceptional conference for Lloyds TSB, and worked hard to ensure the innovation and quality was of an award winning standard. This is a great honour for both us and Lloyds TSB and we are all delighted that this event has been recognised as one of the London Business Events of 2008.”

What they said :

Visit London Interim CEO, Sally Chatterjee :
“The Visit London Awards celebrate the people and places that help make London the number one city destination in the world for international travel. We extend our warmest congratulations to all our winners, including Sir Michael Caine. Tourism is one of London’s most vital industries and tonight we thank all those individuals and businesses for the outstanding contribution they make to the world’s most amazing city.”

Virgin Atlantic’s Director of Communications, Paul Charles : “These Awards showcase the best of the best that London has to offer. Whether you’re a tourist visiting for the first time or a true Londoner, like Sir Michael Caine, there’s never been so much choice on offer when deciding how to spend a day in the capital.”

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson :
“It’s a pleasure to attend this year’s Visit London Awards, my first as Mayor. Tourism is critical to our capital as the industry’s success translates directly into jobs for London and Londoners. These Awards show the range and excellence of what the capital has to offer the visitor. I thank the tourism industry for its hard work and congratulate Sir Michael and all the other winners on their achievements.”


Winners' List

People’s Choice Awards

London’s Favourite Londoner Award - Sir Michael Caine

Evening Standard Best Retailer Award - Selfridges

Evening Standard Best Shopping Destination Award - Oxford Street

Evening Standard Best Market Award - Borough Market

95.8 Capital FM Best West End Show Award - Jersey Boys

95.8 Capital FM Best Music Venue Award - The O2

Toptable Best Restaurant Award - Babylon at The Roof Gardens

Kids Love London Best Family Fun Award sponsored by Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Natural HistoryMuseum

Industry Awards

Visitor Attraction of the Year
GOLD Science Museum  SILVER Wellcome Collection BRONZE London Transport Museum

Best Tourism Experience
GOLD London Walks    SILVER Vinopolis    BRONZE Royal Observatory Greenwich

Best Celebration of Cultural Diversity
GOLD Pride London  SILVER Discover for City of Stories   BRONZE The Mayor’s Thames Festival

Best Visitor Information Initiative
GOLD Shaftesbury PLC for ‘Carnaby’   SILVER South Bank Employers Group
BRONZE City of London Information Centre

Outstanding Customer Service
GOLD Village East  SILVER National Maritime Museum’s David Baxter
BRONZE BBC Tours Guiding Team

Sports Tourism Award
GOLD Flora London Marathon   SILVER Wembley Stadium Tour   BRONZE The O2

Business Event of the Year
GOLD Maritz for Toyota ERM IV   SILVER Science Museum for Siemens ‘Think Customer’ Awards   BRONZE Logistik for Share Fair Conference 2008

Business Venue of the Year
GOLD ExCel London    SILVER The Barbican   BRONZE Science Museum

Large Hotel of the Year
GOLD Apex City of London Hotel   SILVER Jumeirah Carlton Tower                             BRONZE The Chesterfield Mayfair

Small Hotel/B&B of the Year
GOLD The Sumner Hotel   SILVER The Bingham   BRONZE The Capital

Budget Accommodation of the Year
GOLD St Christopher’s Village    SILVER Passfield Hall, London School of Economics & Political Science    BRONZE Palmers Lodge Boutique Backpackers

Sustainable Tourism Award
GOLD EC&O venues       SILVER The O2     BRONZE The Royal Lancaster Hotel

Accessible Tourism Award
GOLD National Theatre      SILVER The O2    BRONZE Holiday Inn London Bloomsbury

Marketing/PR Campaign of the Year
GOLD British Museum for The First Emperor: China’s Terracotta Army
SILVER X2 Museum in Docklands for London, Sugar and Slavery SML Marketing & Events AND Golin Harris for Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs
BRONZE London Borough of Newham for Be a Local Tourist






RK  _________________________________________