VOTING HAS NOW CLOSED
Emily is representing the region as the only North East finalist in the 10-strong shortlist for the national title.
A public online vote is now open and everyone is being urged to “Vote for Emily”, who reached the final after being crowned Durham Tourism Superstar last year.
Emily, who works at Beamish Museum’s Entrance, said: “I am absolutely over the moon to have been chosen as a finalist for VisitEngland’s Tourism Superstar!
“It means the world to me that people voted for me to be Durham’s Tourism Superstar and I hope I do Beamish, and everyone who voted for me, proud in the national final.”
Emily truly is a superstar – in her beautiful Edwardian costume with her beaming smile, she greets visitors with the warmest of welcomes and ensures they enjoy an amazing day out. Not only that, she is also a devoted Dementia Friends Champion, who has personally trained more than 100 of the museum’s Dementia Friends.
Being involved in everything from Suffragette marches, shovelling snow and rock and roll dancing to setting up a Dementia Café, directing traffic and carving hundreds of Halloween pumpkins, Emily is always there to help.
Rhiannon Hiles, Beamish’s Deputy Director, said: “We are thrilled that our very own Emily Hope has made it through to the Tourism Superstar national final!
“Emily is passionate about her role, the museum and the region and is dedicated to ensuring that visitors receive an excellent welcome. Please vote for Emily, she’s a superstar and truly deserves your vote!”
Emily is Visitor Welcome and Retail (Gift Shop) Team Leader at Beamish, a 350-acre open air museum that takes visitors on an incredible trip back in time to experience life in the 1820s, 1900s and 1940s.
Michelle Gorman, Managing Director of Visit County Durham, said: “We are delighted that Emily has been shortlisted for this prestigious award. It is fantastic that her dedication and passion for delivering an exceptional experience to visitors has been acknowledged in this way. We hope everyone will now get behind the competition and vote for Emily.”
Online voting via the Mirror website is now open and runs until 2nd April.
Emily hopes to follow in the footsteps of Beamish’s Matthew Henderson who was voted VisitEngland Tourism Superstar in 2015.