HEY! Volunteers have made it onto a prestigious VisitEngland competition shortlist.
The Tourism Superstar competition, now in its 14th year, seeks out champions working in tourism who provide fantastic experiences for visitors, as well as showcasing the variety and quality of England’s tourism offer, businesses and destinations.
The 10 finalists, individuals or teams, were selected from dozens of submissions from Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs), destinations, employers and colleagues, covering all areas of tourism.
HEY! Volunteers will now go on to compete for the title of Tourism Superstar 2026, decided by a public vote, run on VisitEngland’s website in February and March 2026.
Councillor Rob Pritchard, portfolio holder for culture and leisure at Hull City Council, said: “I couldn’t be more proud of the HEY! Volunteers in this significant award shortlisting.
“As a HEY! Volunteer myself, I know how incredibly passionate, dedicated and enthusiastic this group of people are in all the work they do to promote Hull and East Yorkshire.
“I would like to wish the team all the best of luck for the awards in summer 2026.”
Chris Blacksell, Chair of Visit Hull and East Yorkshire’s Advisory Board, said: “Our HEY! Volunteers are integral to our tourism and cultural offer.
“Their blue and pink uniforms are recognisable across the region, offering friendly faces and knowledge and support in spades, wherever they go.
“I can’t think of a more deserving team to receive the Tourism Superstar award 2026.”
Councillor Nick Coultish, cabinet member for culture, tourism and leisure at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “We are incredibly proud that our dedicated volunteers have been shortlisted for the 2026 Visit England Tourism Superstar Awards.
“Their passion and commitment play a vital role in making our region a welcoming and memorable destination for visitors. This recognition is a testament to their hard work and the positive impact they have on our local visitor economy.”
VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said:
“Our Tourism Superstar competition truly showcases the diversity of roles in our wonderful industry with all those involved demonstrating their passion for their places of work and destinations. It is their commitment to making visitors leave with magical memories that we are celebrating, and I encourage the public to show their support by voting for their favourite superstar.
“From volunteers, guides, leaders in astro-tourism to chefs, holiday park employees and events teams, these finalists are already superstars. They strive to continuously improve the visitor experience, and I wish them every success when the competition opens in February 2026. Please do cast your vote!”
The public will be able to vote for their favourite superstar on VisitEngland’s website from early February when the competition officially opens. Short films of all the finalists, carrying out their duties in their tourism roles and promoting their local destinations, will be shown on VisitEngland’s website to support with voting.
Voting will run until the end of English Tourism Week which in 2026 takes place from the 13-22 March.
The finalist with the highest number of votes is crowned winner at the end of the competition with the Tourism Superstar award handed out at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026 event in the summer.
VisitEngland Tourism Superstar 2026 finalists are:
- Hull & East Yorkshire Volunteers (HEY! Volunteers), supporting culture, tourism and heritage, East Riding of Yorkshire
- Jimmy Nicol, volunteer guide at Raby Castle, County Durham
- Dan Monk, Director of Astrophotography Kielder Observatory, Northumberland
- Maurizio Bocchi, chef at La Locanda, Lancashire
- Coast & Country Parks Holiday Connoisseurs, Coast & Country Parks – Somerset, Devon & Cornwall
- Leicester’s Festivals and Events Team, Leicestershire
- Mick Hurst, Battle of Evesham Historical Events and Reenactments, Worcestershire
- Sheila Hannon, Show of Strength Theatre Walks, Bristol
- Badger Hide Guides Volunteers at Wild Haweswater, the RSPB at Wild Haweswater, Cumbria
- Cheryl Cade, Tour Guide, Norwich and Norfolk
For more information on VisitEngland’s Tourism Superstar competition go VisitEngland Tourism Superstar Awards UK | VisitBritain.org
