Sir Michael Caine wins London’s Favourite Londoner Award
28 November 08
Screen legend Sir Michael Caine has won the London’s Favourite Londoner Award at the 2008 Visit London Awards, sponsored by Virgin Atlantic. The coveted title at this year’s prestigious ceremony was awarded in recognition of Sir Michael’s outstanding contribution to film and television and was voted for directly by Londoners.
Accepting the Award in a glittering ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall last night, Sir Michael said:
“London is the world’s best city and I am honoured to be receiving this Award, voted for by Londoners themselves. I am a lifelong Londoner and consider being born here as one of the greatest things to have happened to me.”
Now in their fifth year, the Visit London Awards recognise and reward excellence in London tourism and also honour leaders in entertainment, creativity and innovation.
Tonight’s award ceremony was hosted by 95.8 Capital FM’s Breakfast Show duo Johnny Vaughan and Lisa Snowdon and included a key address by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.
Visit London’s Interim CEO Sally Chatterjee said:
“The Visit London Awards celebrate the people and places that help make London the number one city destination in the world for international travel. We extend our warmest congratulations to all our winners, including Sir Michael Caine. Tourism is one of London’s most vital industries and tonight we thank all those individuals and businesses for the outstanding contribution they make to the world’s most amazing city.”
Virgin Atlantic’s Director of Communications Paul Charles said: “These Awards showcase the best of the best that London has to offer. Whether you’re a tourist visiting for the first time or a true Londoner, like Sir Michael Caine, there’s never been so much choice on offer when deciding how to spend a day in the capital.”
Mayor of London Boris Johnson said:
“It’s a pleasure to attend this year’s Visit London Awards, my first as Mayor. Tourism is critical to our capital as the industry’s success translates directly into jobs for London and Londoners. These Awards show the range and excellence of what the capital has to offer the visitor. I thank the tourism industry for its hard work and congratulate Sir Michael and all the other winners on their achievements.”
95.8 Capital FM’s Johnny Vaughan said:
“I am delighted to be hosting the 2008 Visit London Awards. London is the greatest city on earth and these Awards are the ultimate celebration of our capital.”
‘London’s Favourite Londoner’ is a new award category for 2008 which pays tribute to an individual that helps make London the world’s most dynamic city. Directly chosen and voted for by Londoners the finalists included: Sir Michael Caine, Leona Lewis, Joanna Lumley OBE, Paul Merton, Jamie Oliver MBE, and Sir Alan Sugar.
The Visit London Awards comprise 14 industry-judged entries, ranging from Large Hotel of the Year to the Sustainable Tourism Award. The Awards also include five People’s Choice categories including Best West End Show, Best Shopping Experience [Market, Destination, Retailer], Best Restaurant and Best Family Fun. The People’s Choice Awards were hosted by media partners the Evening Standard and 95.8 Capital FM, giving Londoners the opportunity to reward their favourite things to see and do in the capital.
2008 VISIT LONDON AWARDS WINNERS
People’s Choice Awards
London’s Favourite Londoner Award
Sir Michael Caine
Evening Standard Best Retailer Award
Selfridges
Evening Standard Best Shopping Destination Award
Oxford Street
Evening Standard Best Market Award
Borough Market
95.8 Capital FM Best West End Show Award
Jersey Boys
95.8 Capital FM Best Music Venue Award
The O2
Toptable Best Restaurant Award
Babylon at The Roof Gardens
Kids Love London Best Family Fun Award sponsored by Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
Natural History Museum
Industry Awards
Visitor Attraction of the Year
GOLD Science Museum
SILVER Wellcome Collection
BRONZE London Transport Museum
Best Tourism Experience
GOLD London Walks
SILVER Vinopolis
BRONZE Royal Observatory Greenwich
Best Celebration of Cultural Diversity
GOLD Pride London
SILVER Discover for City of Stories
BRONZE The Mayor’s Thames Festival
Best Visitor Information Initiative
GOLD Shaftesbury PLC for ‘Carnaby’
SILVER South Bank Employers Group
BRONZE City of London Information Centre
Outstanding Customer Service
GOLD Village East
SILVER National Maritime Museum’s David Baxter
BRONZE BBC Tours Guiding Team
Sports Tourism Award
GOLD Flora London Marathon
SILVER Wembley Stadium Tour
BRONZE The O2
Business Event of the Year
GOLD Maritz for Toyota ERM IV
SILVER Science Museum for Siemens ‘Think Customer’ Awards
BRONZE Logistik for Share Fair Conference 2008
Business Venue of the Year
GOLD ExCel London
SILVER The Barbican
BRONZE Science Museum
Large Hotel of the Year
GOLD Apex City of London Hotel
SILVER Jumeirah Carlton Tower
BRONZE The Chesterfield Mayfair
Small Hotel/B&B of the Year
GOLD The Sumner Hotel
SILVER The Bingham
BRONZE The Capital
Budget Accommodation of the Year
GOLD St Christopher’s Village
SILVER Passfield Hall, London School of Economics & Political Science
BRONZE Palmers Lodge Boutique Backpackers
Sustainable Tourism Award
GOLD EC&O venues
SILVER The O2
BRONZE The Royal Lancaster Hotel
Accessible Tourism Award
GOLD National Theatre
SILVER The O2
BRONZE Holiday Inn London Bloomsbury
Marketing/PR Campaign of the Year
GOLD British Museum for The First Emperor: China’s Terracotta Army
SILVER (1) Museum in Docklands for London, Sugar and Slavery (2) SML Marketing & Events and Golin Harris for Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs
BRONZE London Borough of Newham for Be a Local Tourist
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