THE search to find the best tourism businesses in Waveney has begun and readers can vote for their favourite attractions and destinations.The Beccles and Bungay Journal and Lowestoft Journal are again supporting the awards and want to hear readers' experiences.

THE search to find the best tourism businesses in Waveney has begun and readers can vote for their favourite attractions and destinations.

The Beccles and Bungay Journal and Lowestoft Journal are again supporting the awards and want to hear readers' experiences.

The Sunrise Coast welcomes more than four million visitors to the area each year and tourism is worth over �235 million to the local economy.

Much of the industry's success can be accredited to the wonderful facilities we have surrounding are area, from country hotels, stately homes, wildlife parks, traditional accommodation, theatres and theme parks.

This is the third year that the two newspapers have supported the awards. Previous years winners included the Africa Alive, Britten House, Ivy House Country Hotel and Broadland Holiday Village.

2008 Best Bed and Breakfast winner Anne Ceresa from Britten House explained: “We were over the moon on winning the award in 2008. This topped of a great year at Britten house and we are really pleased to display the award to our guests and potential visitors.”

This year categories include, Best Bed and Breakfast, Best Hotel, Best Holiday Park, Best small Attraction (under 10,000 visitors per year) Best Large Attraction (over 10,000 visitors per year) and there will also be a new award for museums and heritage venues.

We would like to ask all readers to nominate a business for the awards and also encourage businesses to nominate themselves explaining why they should be considered for the ward and share their experiences with readers.

Once all nominations are received the judging panel will review the nominations and select finalists in each category.

The judging panel made up from members of the Waveney Tourism Forum, Beccles and Bungay Journal and Lowestoft Journal who will review all nominations before announcing the winner at the Sunrise Coast Tourism Conference.

The judging panel will be looking at business and organisations that exceed customer expectations, promote the use of local produce and suppliers and their efforts to become more sustainable.

Darren Newman, Waveney District Council's service manager for tourism and events, said: “Each year we see attractions and accommodation providers develop their products to benefit customers and improve the visitor experience.

The tourism awards recognise the achievements by the industry in promoting the district as a popular tourist destination.”

To nominate a business for the tourism awards please complete the form in today's Beccles and Bungay Journal and Lowestoft Journal and send it to: 2009 Sunrise Coast Tourism Awards, Lowestoft Journal, 147 London Road North, Lowestoft NR32 1NB.Closing date for nominations is October 24, 2009.