Visitor Centre shortlisted for VisitEngland Excellence Award

The Visitor Centre has made the shortlist of three for the Visitor Information Provider of the Year Award, which honours quality customer service and satisfaction at the country's leading tourist destinations.

Based at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum - home of the World Rugby Hall of Fame - the Visitor Centre was judged on a range of criteria, including the quality of information on offer, the staff's knowledge and enthusiasm, use of social media, and the products sold in the centre's shop.

Judges also placed particular emphasis on how staff handled calls from overseas visitors, and the advice offered on where to stay and go.

Rugby Visitor Centre moved into its new home in the foyer of the Little Elborow Street venue in November, weeks before the grand opening of the World Rugby Hall of Fame.

The centre has an expanded gift shop selling a wide range of souvenirs of the town and game, and World Rugby merchandise.

It also has a host of information leaflets and guides to help visitors make the most of a trip to the borough.

Cllr Heather Timms, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for growth and investment, said: "The VisitEngland Awards for Excellence have become the tourism industry's Oscars and it's a real achievement to be shortlisted for an award.

"Rugby's unique place in history as the birthplace of the game has long made it a destination for rugby fans from across the world, and the opening of the World Rugby Hall of Fame has created an extra incentive to visit the town.

"Rugby Visitor Centre's the first port of call for many of our visitors and it's vital the team make a good impression in terms of offering a warm welcome and delivering excellent customer service.

"I know the Visitor Centre team take great pride in being ambassadors for our borough and I'm delighted the team's hard work and dedication has been recognised by VisitEngland."

Dominic Rumbles, World Rugby head of communications, said: "I'm delighted our friends in Rugby have been shortlisted for the VisitEngland Visitor Information Provider of the Year Award.

"World Rugby is proud the town is the home of the World Rugby Hall of Fame."

The VisitEngland Awards for Excellence ceremony takes place at London's Hilton Waldorf Hotel on 24 April.

Oxford Visitor Information Centre and Gloucester Tourist Information Centre have also been shortlisted for the Visitor Information Provider of the Year Award.