Nominations are still being invited for a prestigious awards scheme that aims to recognise and reward the unsung heroes and heroines of the tourism industry across the Peak District and Derbyshire.

Outstanding individuals who do their utmost to give visitors the best possible experience when they visit the area have their chance to step into the limelight at the Excel Tourism Awards 2011, co-ordinated by official tourist board Visit Peak District & Derbyshire.

This year's awards will be held at Chatsworth on Thursday March 10, and will be compered by Buxton-based journalist Colin Sykes, Environment and Transport Correspondent on BBC Television's regional news programme, North West Tonight.

Nominations can be submitted in ten categories:

• Outstanding Customer Care

• Young Manager of the Year

• Most Promising Student

• Most Promising Trainee

• Young Chef of the Year

• Event Planner of the Year

• Team of the Year

• Volunteer of the Year

• Outstanding Contribution to Tourism

• Unsung hero

"Our Excel Tourism Awards aim to highlight and celebrate people, rather than the organizations they work for, whose efforts to provide top quality service often go unnoticed," said David James, Chief Executive of the tourist board.

"All our award-winning and successful tourism businesses rely on the expertise and commitment of their staff - and these awards offer the perfect opportunity for them to showcase the high standards of excellence their employees achieve.

"They also reflect the benefits businesses can gain when they invest in their workforce through quality improvement, staff training and skills development, and hopefully encourage other businesses to follow suit..

"There's still time for people across the area to get in touch with us and tell us why a particular person or team should be rewarded for their contribution to tourism in our area - so I would urge them to get in touch with us as soon as possible to make sure their nominees get the credit they deserve."

Added the Duke of Devonshire: "All the team here are thrilled that Chatsworth will be hosting the Excel Tourism Awards for a second year, and look forward to welcoming colleagues from Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, category winners and guests at what is fast becoming a key event in the county's calendar. We believe the Awards are an opportunity to reward people who often work tirelessly behind the scenes to give visitors the best possible experience." 

Anyone can be considered - from young people who show promise in their early career to more experienced candidates who have years of experience and a wealth of expertise in their field - and anyone can make a nomination.

Visit www.visitpeakdistrict.com/excel to download and complete a nomination form, and e-mail it or post 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. The closing date for entries is Friday 4 February 2011.