THE cream of York’s tourism businesses met at the city’s Castle Museum to celebrate their success and to shout “loud and proud” about what the city has to offer.

The event, which took place last night in the museum’s famous Victorian street, Kirkgate, was hosted by the city’s official tourism body, Visit York.

Addressing the guests, chairman John Yeomans said: “Thanks to you all for making York the best tourism city in the country.”

Visit York chief executive Gillian Cruddas said: “We have about 180 businesses here. We are delighted because we are working in challenging times, and it’s important that we remind people of all the good news stories and the awards that Visit York and York businesses have won.”

During 2010 York picked up a number of awards, including Most Picturesque Street in Britain for Shambles and two Olivier awards for the Theatre Royal’s production of The Railway Children.

Mr Yeomans said: “It is vitally important that York’s tourism businesses all work together to share best practice and shout loud and proud about what the city and the region have to offer.”