Unsung heroes and heroines of the tourism industry in the Peak District and Derbyshire are poised to step into the spotlight thanks to a prestigious new awards scheme.

Visit Peak District & Derbyshire (VPD&D) - the area's official tourist board - is launching the annual Excel Tourism Awards, to recognise and reward outstanding individuals who go the extra mile to offer high standards of service.

Nominations are now being invited in ten categories:

• Outstanding Customer Care

• Young Manager of the Year

• Most Promising Student

• Young Chef of the Year

• Tourism Young achiever

• Team of the Year

• Best Volunteer

• Outstanding Contribution to Tourism

• Unsung hero

"Our new Excel Awards are open to all, and, because they recognise the contribution made by people, rather than the organisations they work for, aim to showcase the wealth of quality and excellence we have within our tourism workforce," said Jim Oribine, Head of Industry Services at VPD&D.

"Tourism is a key lynchpin of the Derbyshire economy - worth around £1.4 billion a year and employing more than 24,000 people - and we want to underline its importance by highlighting the commitment that many of our operators have to providing the best possible experience for visitors.

"These awards will champion quality improvement and acknowledge achievements in staff training and skills development - and we hope they will motivate other businesses to achieve equally high standards of service.

"Anyone can be considered - from unsung heroes and volunteers who work quietly behind the scenes to high achievers making an outstanding contribution to tourism - and anyone can make a nomination.

"We hope the Excel Tourism Awards will become an annual event, celebrating some of the most successful and dedicated people working in tourism in our area."

Preparations are in the pipeline to stage a high-profile awards event in March 2010. Nominations can be made by visiting www.visitpeakdistrict.com/excel , downloading and completing a nomination form, and e-mailing it or posting it to Lindsay Rae, Quality and Business Development Manager at Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, Crescent View, Hall Bank, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 6EN, lindsay.rae@visitpeakdistrict.com