ONE of Ireland’s most popular scenic spots has scooped a top heritage attraction award.
The north Antrim landmark, which is managed by the National Trust, won gold in the British Travel Awards at a gala event in London on Wednesday that was attended by almost 1,000 travel industry representatives.
The Giant’s Causeway, which is famously comprised of thousands of interlocking basalt columns, is the north's first World Heritage Site as well as its most visited tourist attraction, attracting thousands of people every day.
Commercial and visitor operations manager at the Causeway Esther Dobbin said it was the first time a heritage attraction in the north had won the award.
"The awards are voted for by visitors which makes them all the more special. We are really passionate about what we do, and I’m so proud of our entire team. This is great for the National Trust and for Northern Ireland.”
This is the second year that the Giant’s Causeway has been nominated, having won bronze last year. It is also the first ever win for the National Trust in this category against competitiors that included National Maritime Museum Cornwall and Sterling Castle along with last year’s winner, Edinburgh Castle.
British Travel Awards’ chief executive Lorraine Barnes Burton said: “More than a quarter of a million consumers voted this year to determine the winners of the 2015 British Travel Awards – it’s the largest awards program in the UK and to win is a clear statement that companies are providing excellence in travel to the discerning consumer.”
