VISIT York has launched its 2013 Tourism Awards and has started the search for the best in tourism across York.

Businesses will be awarded in 13 categories, with three new awards this year, Restaurant of the Year, Café/Tearoom of the Year and Visitor Experience of the Year.

Tourism businesses are now being asked to put in their entries across the 13 categories, which are: Hotel of the Year; Guest Accommodation of the Year; Self-catering/Caravan Park of the Year; Visitor Attraction of the Year; Conference Venue of the Year; Outstanding Customer Service Award; Marketing Campaign of the Year; Shopping Experience of the Year; Restaurant of the Year; Café/Tearoom of the Year; Visitor Experience of the Year; and York Tourism Ambassador.

The public is also asked to vote on their favourite pub or bar at visityork.org/awards or on Facebook or Twitter using #BestYorkPubBar.

Jane Lady Gibson, chairman at Visit York, said: “In a climate of increased competition, from both UK and European destinations, it is important that we recognise and highlight the high quality of the city’s tourism businesses to ensure York maintains its competitive edge and continues to flourish.”

Businesses can enter at visityork.org/awards by February 22.

The black tie awards ceremony will be held on May 9 and winners will go forward to the regional White Rose Awards and national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.