Paris Tourism Chief to Judge Visit London Awards

Visit London has invited Paul Roll, chief executive of the Paris tourist board, to help judge the Visit London Awards.  This is the first time an overseas tourism official has been involved in judging the awards.  

Visit London’s chief executive, James Bidwell, said: “We are pleased to have Paul Roll as a judge for the Visit London Awards.  London is now more accessible than ever for European visitors.  The capital’s top tourism businesses need to appeal to both UK and overseas markets, so it is very appropriate to have an expert European judge on the panel.”

Paul Roll said:  “Quality in tourism is a global concern and I’m looking forward to judging the best of London’s tourism product.  Paris and London are traditionally seen as competitors.  However, with travel times of around two and a half hours between the two cities, we should be working closely together to market both destinations to leisure and business travellers.”

Eurostar, title sponsor of the awards, will transport the French judge from Paris to London for the judging day on 27 September.  He will travel by Business Premier class, which offers access to an exclusive business lounge in Paris and London, as well as a 10 minute fast track check in.

Paul Charles, director of communications at Eurostar, said:   “As Eurostar is the natural link between London and Paris we are delighted that Paul Roll is to join the judging panel for the Visit London Awards.  He will use his expert knowledge of the best of Paris to judge London’s finest attractions.”

For more information please contact Hannah Collingbourne in the Visit London press office on 020 7234 5843 or email hcollingbourne@visitlondon.com.

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Notes to Editors:

The Visit London Awards categories are:

1. Bed and Breakfast
2. Best for Business
3. Large Hotel
4. Small Hotel
5. Large Visitor Attraction
6. Small Visitor Attraction
7. Outstanding Customer Service
8. Best Website
9. Tour London
10. Best Borough
11. Cultural Event
12. Entertainment
13. Marketing Campaign

The winners in the first nine categories will be put forward for the national ‘Enjoy England Excellence Awards’.

The judging panel will include representatives from London’s tourism and media industries.

Three further ‘People’s Choice Awards’ will be promoted by the Evening Standard: Best local restaurant, best shopping experience and best family day out.

ITV London will be running its own award – the ‘London Tonight Best Day Out for Londoners’ award.

The winners in all categories will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony on 28 November 2005 at Old Billingsgate Market.

Visit London is the official visitor organisation for London.  Its role is to promote London as the world’s most exciting city, targeting domestic and overseas leisure and business visitors as well as Londoners.  Visit London works in partnership with the Mayor, the London Development Agency and the commercial industry.

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