The team at Hook Lighthouse in south-west Wexford are celebrating as the tourist attraction was presented with ‘highly commended’ in the ‘Best Tourism Project in the UK and Ireland 2018’ award category by the British Guild of Travel Writers at their annual World Tourism Awards ceremony which was hosted last Sunday at the Savoy Hotel in London.
The award-winning global travel writer and guild member Isabel Conway nominated Hook Lighthouse during the summer of 2018 and it was the only Irish attraction to be shortlisted for the award.
In September Hook Lighthouse received the news that the venue and tour experience had been shortlisted for the prestigious world tourism awards 2018. It was selected as a finalist and was one of three attractions and projects that made it to the best tourism project in UK and Ireland award stage 2018.
Only Guild members can nominate tourism attractions and destinations for the annual awards and the final stage of the awards judging saw Isabel showcase the lighthouse attraction to her peers via a video presentation which was captured during one of her visits to the lighthouse.
Within the video, Isabel showcases the visitor experience at the medieval lighthouse and urges her fellow guild members to vote for the attraction because it is ‘world-class, unique and deserves further recognition’.
Speaking at the awards ceremony in London, Manager of Hook Lighthouse, Ann Waters said; “We are just thrilled. The entire team at Hook lighthouse are dedicated to ensuring a top quality visitor experience for every visitor from ensuring fun for the little ones to sharing the local knowledge and historical insights and heritage of the 800-year-old lighthouse. This is a real team award.”

She added; “We are also delighted to showcase Hook Peninsula as part of Ireland’s Ancient East to the world gathering of travel writers, it is truly a great honour.”
Travel Writer journalist Isabel Conway said; “As a long-term member of the guild I am well aware of how difficult it is to even be shortlisted for one of these awards and what it means for an attraction so I am just delighted for all of the team at Hook Lighthouse. Hook Lighthouse is a world-class and unique attraction, this is something which I wanted to showcase as part of my nomination and it is wonderful to see this recognised took by my peers from across the globe.”
In recent years Hook Lighthouse has undertaken a strategic review and development of its tour experience and offering, developing a brand new visitor experience and additional evening and early morning tour and food experiences at the 800-year-old lighthouse.
It is also presently commencing a three-year development plan with Failte Ireland and Wexford County Council, further striving to develop its visitor experience offering within Ireland’s Ancient East. For further details on Hook Lighthouse and the Hook Lighthouse tour experience see www.hookheritage.ie