Excellence in Tourism Awards

Annually, visitors in Lincoln County, Nebraska spend more than $125 million, generate over $10 million in state and local taxes, and support more than 1,500 jobs with a payroll of just under $25 million. Our local tourism partners – hotels, restaurants, retail, attractions, and events continued to greet visitors with warmth, hospitality, and professionalism throughout all of 2022.

During the Excellence in Tourism Luncheon scheduled for May 10, 2023, as a part of National Travel and Tourism Week, Visit North Platte will be presenting five ‘Excellence in Tourism’ awards. The categories for ‘Excellence in Tourism’ awards are for employees of Hotels or other lodging establishments, Restaurants or other food service establishments, Events, Attractions, and Retail. In addition to the five Excellence in Tourism awards, Volunteer of the Year and Hero of Tourism awards will be presented.

Annually, nearly 600,000 visitors will make the trip to North Platte. What attracts these visitors, keeps them coming back and inspires them to tell their friends to visit North Platte? North Platte’s events and attractions are part of the equation, but the single most important factor in making visitors feel welcome and have a positive experience is excellent customer service.

The nominees for the Excellence in Tourism Customer Service awards will be employees (or volunteers) in any of the above categories within Lincoln County who go above and beyond expectations. Anyone with experience of an employee who exhibits exceptional customer service skills at any of these locations is encouraged to submit an award nomination. Nominees for Volunteer of the Year and Hero of Tourism will be individuals who made a significant contribution to the tourism industry in Lincoln County. 

Nominations are now closed for 2023 and the winners have been announced and may be viewed below. This page will be updated when it is time to make nominations for the 2024 Excellence in Tourism Awards.

Previous Winners