#VOTE4LEYE Lancashire’s Tourism Superstar
Lancashire’s own Tourism Superstar Leye D Johns, host and compere at Viva Blackpool, won his Lancashire ‘crown’ at the Lancashire Tourism Awards in November 2016 and is now one of just ten finalists for this prestigious national award, the winner of which will be decided by public vote.
Public voting opens today, Tuesday 7 February at 8am, to decide the winner of England’s Tourism Superstar 2017, organised by national tourist board VisitEngland and supported by the Daily Mirror. Members of the public are encouraged to Visit mirror.co.uk/tourismsuperstar to watch a short film created by each of the Superstar finalists and to then cast their vote for their favourite and outright winner.
Leye D Johns speaking about reaching the finals said “I’m absolutely overwhelmed by the support I’ve received as Lancashire’s Tourism Superstar and I’m so happy to be named as a national finalist. I love my job, the people of Lancashire, and the thousands of visitors who make every day working at Viva Blackpool such a pleasure. I’m so proud to be representing Lancashire in the national awards, to win would be the icing on the cake of a 23-year career as an entertainer in the UK’s favourite seaside resort.”
Leye is the only finalist from the North West of England and hopes that visitors from Lancashire and the North West in particular will support his film, vote for Leye and spread that support through social media using #Vote4Leye.
(Picture right shows Leye receiving his Lancashire Tourism Superstar Award from Chair of Marketing Lancashire, Tony Attard OBE and guest presenter Bill Turnbull)
The Tourism Superstar finalists are:
Alan Anderson, Park Ranger, Auckland Castle, Durham
Duane Dibartolomeo, Owner, Grosvenor Fish bar, Norwich
Gemma Garwood, Falmouth Town Crier, Cornwall
Gillian Scotford and Jane Carver, Co-founders of Accessible Derbyshire, Derbyshire
Karl Gibson, Pub Landlord, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, Nottingham
Kevin Robson, Tour Guide and Owner, Wild Dog Outdoors, Northumberland
Leye D Johns, Host & Compere, Viva Blackpool, Lancashire
Liz Hill, Founder, Rural Concierge, Herefordshire
Paul Schofield, City Tour Guide, Hull & East Yorkshire
Peter Jay, Volunteer, Cotswold Water Park Trust, Wiltshire
64 Million visitors choose to visit Lancashire each year and many will be familiar with Leye’s work at Viva Blackpool and across the county, they are now in the position to help make Leye D Johns, to victory as England’s Tourism Superstar.
Anna Izza, Head of PR & communications for Marketing Lancashire said “Leye was an incredibly popular recipient of the Lancashire Tourism Superstar Award 2016. Having won the most votes across Lancashire, we were very confident nominating him for the national award. Leye is such a wonderful character, is a great ambassador for the county and we’re absolutely thrilled to see him reach the final.”
VisitEngland Director Patricia Yates said, “The sheer calibre of this years’ entrants is testament to the outstanding customer service that is the foundation of England’s tourism industry. I really encourage you to join in and vote as we celebrate our Tourism Superstars who consistently go above and beyond customers’ expectations, and who contribute so much to ensure visitors have a great time.”
VisitEngland’s Tourism Superstar initiative is in its sixth year and recognises the heroes within the industry who far exceed the call of duty to ensure visitors have the most amazing experience.
Vote Now for Lancashire’s Tourism Superstar Leye D Johns at mirror.co.uk/tourismsuperstar voting closes 29 March at 5pm. The winning Tourism Superstar will be announced during English Tourism Week 2017(25 March – 2 April).
<<ENDS>>
For Media enquiries please contact:
Anna Izza, Head of PR and Communications 01772 426 459
Laura Crabb, PR and Communications Executive 01772 426 456