25 March 2025
A team of volunteers who greet visitors at Southampton’s ports have won a highly coveted VisitEngland award for tourism.
The Southampton Saints are made up of 13 port volunteers who offer a friendly welcome to the city’s tourists and visitors.
The team won the Tourism Superstar 2025 title, run by VisitEngland, which saw the largest number of votes ever cast in 2025 with more than 18,000.
This year’s competition ran nationwide from 12 February until midnight on 23 March culminating at the end of English Tourism Week, which took place from the 14-23 March, culminating in a public vote for their favourite amongst 10 finalists.
VisitEngland has revealed the winner of its with port volunteers Southampton Saints taking the title. Second place goes to Wendy Wilshere from County Durham’s 11 Arches/Kynren and in third place Hannah Clapp from Muncaster Castle Gardens and Hawk & Owl Centre in Cumbria.
The Southampton Saints volunteer programme launched last year by GO! Southampton, the city’s Business Improvement District (BID) and in partnership with Associated British Ports (ABP) Southampton to enhance the cruise passenger welcome into the city. In 2024 the team welcomed over 3,000 passengers offering directions to attractions and personalised recommendations for local businesses to discover.
VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said: “VisitEngland’s Tourism Superstar competition is all about finding the individuals within England’s tourism industry who are doing something extra to make visitors feel special, going above and beyond to make their experiences truly exceptional.
“The Southampton Saints pull out all the stops when they welcome cruise ship tourists at the city port with a friendly smile and helpful information on local attractions and must-see places. They also provide the all-important first impression, setting the standard for what visitors can expect from their tourism experience in England. I thank them for their hard work and I congratulate the team on this well-deserved win.”
Executive Director GO! Southampton – Business Improvement District Limited Stephen Manion said: “Southampton is absolutely thrilled and honoured to win this prestigious VisitEngland award. We are very proud of our Saints, who are amazing ambassadors for this great city, sharing their passion and love to make the visitor journey more enjoyable and memorable. Thank you to everyone who voted.”
Ian Henderson, ABP Head of Property said: “I am delighted that Southampton Saints have won the Visit England’s Tourism Superstar Award. The Southampton Saints provide cruise passengers with visitor information and directions to the City Centre to encourage them to visit the city’s main attractions including our City Walls, museums, shops, and restaurants. The initiative was set up last year in partnership with ABP and GO! Southampton, with a core aim of bringing together the Port and the City.”
This year’s Tourism Superstar competition ran from 12 February until midnight on 23 March culminating at the end of English Tourism Week, which took place from the 14-23 March, and with the public voting for their favourite amongst 10 finalists. VisitEngland’s Tourism Superstar search in 2025 saw the largest number of votes ever cast with more than 18,000.
The Southampton Saints will be presented with their Tourism Superstar award at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2025 event at the Brighton Dome Corn Exchange on 4 June.
Tourism is one of England’s largest, most valuable industries, supporting more than 200,000 businesses, employing 2.6 million people and generating about £76 billion in domestic visitor spending.
