York Tourism Bureau today announced finalists in this year's annual tourism 'Oscars'.

More than 1,000 nominations have been received from York's visitors and businesses around the city and the list has been whittled down to only 33.

Now the judges have to choose a winner for each of the 15 categories.

The tourism industry awards, now in their third year, will be presented at a ceremony at the Royal York Hotel on November 9.

They recognise the quality contributions made to a tourism product that earns an annual £250 million for the York economy.

BBC television presenter Clare Frisby and BBC Radio York's Elly Fiorentini will present the awards.

The Tourism Awards are sponsored by the Evening Press, the First Stop York tourism partnership and Arriva Trains, as well as 12 key businesses within York.

Award categories include: Best Hotel, Guest House, Shop, Conference Venue, Restaurant, Pub, Visitor Attraction, Entertainment, City Tour, Pub, Customer Service, Marketing Innovation and Ambassador.

Last year's winner of the best 'Ambassador' for the city was voluntary guide Syd Heppell. And as a result of winning the award, 80-year-old Syd was invited to the Queen's Garden Party in London.

"Winning the Best Ambassador Award was fantastic," said Syd.

"I will be intrigued to see who will take my place this year. After 50 years of being a voluntary guide in the city I am still going strong. It was an honour and a privilege to receive the award."

Gillian Cruddas, Chief Executive of the York Tourism Bureau said: "The competition has been particularly fierce this year among B&Bs and guest house owners, with a record number of nominations in that group.

"Many have fought against the odds to keep businesses going after what has been an extremely difficult year. There have also been some outstanding examples of how owners helped American visitors to keep in touch with their relatives back home during the terrorist attacks."

One such example was the Acer Hotel. One of their guests' daughters had just started a new job in Manhattan on the very morning of the attacks. The Acer owners, Sandra and David Wreglesworth, stayed up through the night trying to make contact. Eventually they managed to get a message at 4pm the next day that the daughter was safe.

"There are many more examples of this kind of service that goes beyond the call of duty," said Gillian.

"We choose the winners on the basis of customer feedback and who has given the most outstanding customer service. We have a very difficult task ahead in choosing the final 15 winners."

Judges have so far whittled the entries down to the following shortlist:

Guest House: Midway House, Bronte Guest House, Monkgate Guest House, The Acer Hotel.

Hotel: York Marriott Hotel, The Parsonage Hotel, The Grange Hotel, The Black Swan, Helmsley.

Conference Venue: York Marriott Hotel, The Bar Convent, National Railway Museum.

Shop: Heraldic Arts, Browns, Red House Antiques.

Restaurant: Villa Italia, The Grange Hotel, Meltons, Caf Concerto.

Pub: The Royal Oak, The Golden Ball, Oscar's Wine Bar and Bistro.

Attraction: The Merchant Adventurers' Hall, York Castle Museum, York Model Railway, The Yorkshire Museum.

Entertainment: The United Traders of the Quarter, Warner Village, Mark Wallis (the Yellow Man).

City Tours: Roam'in Tours, Yorkboat, The Ghost Hunt of York.

Customer Service (First Stop York By Train): National Railway Museum, Bettys Tea Rooms, Fairfax House.

Marketing Innovation: JORVIK, Yorkboat, The Black Swan, Helmsley,

Monks Cross Shopping Centre.

Tourism For All: Shopmobility, Model for the blind outside York Minster, Castle Howard, York Castle Museum.

Shortlists for Best Travel Writer, Top Selling Station for First Stop York by Train, and York's Ambassador for 2001 will be announced on November 9.

Updated: 11:35 Monday, October 22, 2001