The Eastern Daily Press along with Norfolk Tourism is pleased to host the seventh EDP Tourism Awards.

Tourism is enormously important to Norfolk, and its continued success is due to the people who work so hard throughout the year. These awards provide an opportunity to celebrate that success and also to recognise those who have achieved the very highest standards in the industry.

The awards attract entries from all tourism sectors and are seen as being amongst the most prestigious recognition that a business can receive. All entries are assessed, and the short listed entries are visited by a category sponsor and an industry judge.

Each year in these awards there are great examples of initiative and enterprise across the many categories whether it is a new idea which has seen sales grow or a new development which has seen increased footfall in a business.

Norfolk has so much to offer today's tourist with its many coastal walks and wide open beaches as well as the attractions of historical towns and cities. The county has a wealth of medieval churches for visitors who want to combine history and culture on their holiday.

Today as more and more people decide to stay in this country for their main holiday

or for a short break, there are increasing opportunities for success for tourism businesses in Norfolk.

Now it is time to enter these Awards and tell us about the success in your business and it does not matter whether it is a large or small business they are all assessed for their excellence. Simply read through the criteria for the different categories and see which is best for you before taking the next step for the simple entry process.

The Awards will be presented at a black tie celebration dinner on November 18 at the Holiday Inn Norwich North which will be hosted by BBC presenter Carol Bundock.