Bristol’s International Balloon Fiesta won Bronze for Best Tourism Event of the Year at last night’s prestigious VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.
The fiesta was shortlisted after scooping the award in the regional heats earlier this year.
Now in its 34th year, the event generates £13m for the local economy and is recognised as one of Britain’s top five outdoor events.
Fiesta chairman Chris Hathaway said: “We’re delighted – as a non-for profit event we could not succeed without the backing of our visitors, partners, 100 Club members and suppliers so we’d like to thank everyone for their continued support.
“This recognition goes to show that the fiesta is not only an iconic event for the city but increasingly for the rest of the country.”
Destination Bristol managing director John Hallett added: “This is a huge achievement which not only recognises the quality of the fiesta but also its importance in helping to boost the city’s local visitor economy.”
This year the fiesta, which takes place between Thursday, August 9 and Sunday, August 12, is introducing a programme of entertainment on Friday evening.
The Friday Night IlluminAir will build on the success of the Thursday and Saturday night glows. Its centrepiece will be an aerobatics display by a pair of agile Silence Twister single-seat aircraft which will perform aerobatic manoeuvres includes loops and rolls while trailing sparkling fireworks and smoke from their wings.
