More Awards For Aspinall Foundation Park

05^th July 2012 UNDER Blog

More great news for the Aspinall Foundation, as last month their Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Park won the Best Leisure and Tourism Business in Kent. The awards, hosted for the fourth year by KEiBA (Kent Excellence in Business Awards), were held at Gillingham Football Club to help celebrate the cream of Kent enterprise.

There were thirteen categories for businesses and individuals to win, with literally hundreds of entries cut down to just 40 finalists. Winners were presented with a delightful glass trophy designed by a renowned Kent artist, with KEiBA hoping to raise the profile of the winning businesses in the county. This of course follows on from the park’s Livingstone Lodge winning the Gold award for Best Tourism Experience in England. As I’m sure you’ll agree, it’s been quite a year for the park!

Managing Director of Howletts and Port Lympne, Bob O’Connor, said –

I am absolutely delighted that Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks have been awarded Best Leisure and Tourism Business in Kent by KEiBA, it’s a testament to all of our hard working staff who endeavour to make the parks a wonderful day out for visitors.

The park is spread across 600 acres, and is home to some of the world’s most endangered species. Within the confines of the park is also the African Experience safari, and Livingstone Lodge, voted the Best tourism Experience in the UK this year. It’s great to see businesses such as this get recognised for their interesting and innovative work, after all, a safari around Kent is a long way away from Africa!

Kent County Council Cabinet Minister for Regeneration and Economic Development, Mark Dance, said –

I was delighted to see so many outstanding businesses and entrepreneurs on Thursday night. All of the entrants were of an extremely high standard and Kent has once again shown that it really is the place to do business. I want to send my heartfelt congratulations to everyone who took part in this year’s Keiba – in particular to the exceptional and well deserving winners.