Press release 5 January 2015
VISITWILTSHIRE PARTNER SHORTLISTED FOR VISITENGLAND TOURISM SUPERSTAR AWARD 2015
5 January 2015
One of VisitWiltshire’s nominees for VisitEngland’s national 2015 Tourism Superstar has been shortlisted.
Kevin Shurmer, from STEAM, Museum of the Great Western Railway, Swindon, was entered into the 2015 Tourism Superstar award and has been shortlisted along with nine other people nationally.
The Tourism Superstar award was launched three years ago by VisitEngland as part of English Tourism Week, honouring someone in the tourism industry who is passionate about their destination and who goes above and beyond the call of duty to make every visitor’s experience extra special.
Kevin (68), a self-confessed railway fanatic whose family is steeped in railway history with five generations having worked at the Swindon railway works since 1858, has not only played a key role in getting the town’s STEAM Museum open for business on a voluntary basis, but he was the first to welcome visitors as a member of staff when the museum opened its doors on 14 June 2000.
Working closely with VisitEngland, VisitWiltshire were quick to put Kevin’s name forward as a suitable candidate for this award after seeing him in action first hand when he delivered a superb talk and tour to a group of travel trade operators as part of a familiarisation visit, back in October 2014.
Florence Wallace, Travel Trade Manager said, “Kevin offers visitors an outstanding quality experience, exemplifying everything that this award is all about, by communicating his railway experiences first-hand and his passion for Wiltshire’s industrial heritage.”
This isn’t the first time VisitWiltshire has been successful at entering a Wiltshire candidate. In 2013, Wayne Grimston from Longleat Safari & Adventure Park was shortlisted into the final by VisitEngland for the same Tourism Superstar award.
“We have an excellent working relationship with VisitEngland and are always keen to put candidates forward for these types of awards as it offers great PR opportunities to our partners. This just reinforces the fact that we have many experienced and passionate staff within tourism related businesses in Wiltshire,” added Florence.
The Daily Mirror will host an online public vote from 31 January which shows a short film of all the nominees. Readers will be able to vote for their favourite via: www.mirroronline.co.uk
The winner will be announced on 14 March, the first day of English Tourism Week, and will be invited to attend VisitEngland’s Awards for Excellence held in May this year.
Issued by VisitWiltshire. For further information please contact Travel Trade & PR Manager, Florence Wallace on 01722 341309 or 07436 588860 or email flowallace@visitwiltshire.co.uk
Editors’ Notes
VisitWiltshire was established in August 2011 and is the official Tourist Board for Wiltshire. It is a private sector membership organisation representing over 550 partners. VisitWiltshire's priority is to grow the county's Visitor Economy by raising awareness of the destination and generating additional tourism visits and spend. Wiltshire's Visitor Economy currently generates an estimated £1.4billion and supports over 27,000 jobs.
Quotes:
Ian Surtees, Income Generation Manager at STEAM said, “Kevin has always been a tremendous member of the team and his enthusiasm for the railway works and how they played an integral role in the future development of Swindon as a town is there for all to see. His passion and commitment is inspiring to everyone who has the pleasure to meet him and he is a credit to our museum.”
Chairman of English Tourism Week David Curtis-Brignell said: “Tourism Superstar 2015 serves to highlight the passion and dedication that abounds in the tourism industry. This award recognises the people on the front-line who meet and greet visitors on a daily basis, and whose unfailing hard work and creativity ensures that visitors to England have an unforgettably wonderful experience.”
VisitEngland’s Shortlisted Superstars
• Kevin Shurmer – Museum Sales and Interpretation Assistant at STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway in Swindon, Wiltshire
• Andrew Archibald – Doorman at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester
• Mark Brattle – Head Falconer at Leeds Castle in Kent
• Sue Copp – Guest Service & Inclusion Manager at Sandcastle Waterpark, in Blackpool, Lancashire
• Chris Green – Zoo Keeper at the Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens in Burford, Oxfordshire
• Matthew Henderson – Engagement & Participation Team Assistant at Beamish Museum in County Durham
• Katie Neville – Period Interpreter at Shakespeare’s Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon
• Gerry O’ Brien – Publican of The Churchill Arms in London
• Clive Phillips – English Heritage Steward at Wellington Arch, London
• Angela Tidmarsh – Tourism Officer at Wychavon District Council in Worcestershire