DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), whose mission is attracting overnight visitors to the destination, is celebrating 2023 National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) by recognizing the businesses and attractions that are the favorites among the vacationers.

In its second year, the Visitors’ Choice Awards honors some of visitors’ most beloved attractions and businesses through a survey that was sent to thousands of Daytona Beach area visitors in the CVB’s database and promoted through its social media channels. The 18 different category selections and top suggestions were based solely on DaytonaBeach.com analytics and other key data points, and each category allowed for “write-in” submissions.

With area beaches receiving votes from visitors in numerous categories, Volusia County Beaches was honored once again with the Award of Excellence. Among the other honorees were Daytona International Speedway, Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, Museum of Arts & Sciences, the Daytona Beach Bandshell and the Daytona Beach Boardwalk & Pier.

“The Visitors’ Choice Awards give us the perfect opportunity to shine a bright light on some of the area attractions and businesses who are favorites among our visitors to the Daytona Beach area,” said Lori Campbell Baker, Executive Director of the Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “These local rock stars help us to grow the positive economic impact that tourism has for us as residents.”

“We use these awards as conversation starters for our residents, too,” said Communications Specialist Sharon Harlow, who spearheads CVB’s Community Outreach. “As we meet with locals during our ongoing Community Listening Sessions, we like to provide them with plenty of resources and suggestions for their own visitors – their friends and family. We love that the Visitors’ Choice Awards program honors the local establishments that are delivering memorable, first-class experiences to all our guests.”

Businesses that were selected by visitors will be recognized at the annual Lodging & Hospitality Association of Volusia County’s National Travel and Tourism breakfast at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach. Winners will also receive a plaque, a graphics file and a sticker that can be used to promote their Visitors’ Choice honor.

Winners and honorable mentions of the 2023 Visitors’ Choice Awards are:

  • Award of Excellence: Volusia County Beaches
  • Best Museum & Gallery: Winner, Museum of Arts & Sciences; Runner-up, Ormond Memorial Art Museum & Gardens
  • Best Major Attraction: Winner, Daytona International Speedway; Runner-up, Ponce Inlet Lighthouse
  • Best Major Event: Winner, Daytona Beach Bike Week; Runner-up, Speedweeks (includes the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA and the DAYTONA 500)
  • Best Arts, Culture & Heritage Event: Winner, Ormond Beach Celtic Festival; Runner-up, ONE DAYTONA Art Fest
  • Best Historical Site: Winner, Daytona Beach Boardwalk & Pier; Runner-up, Ponce Inlet Lighthouse
  • Best Downtown Districts & Neighborhood: Winner, Daytona Beach Main Street; Runner-up, Historic Beach Street (Downtown Daytona)
  • Best Entertainment Venue: Winner, Daytona Beach Bandshell; Runner-up, Peabody Auditorium
  • Best Shopping: Winner, Tanger Outlets Daytona Beach; Runner-up, Ocean Walk Shoppes
  • Best Family Entertainment: Winner, Daytona Beach Boardwalk & Pier; Runner-up, Daytona Lagoon Waterpark & Entertainment Center
  • Best Golf Course: Winner, Daytona Beach Golf Club; Runner-up, LPGA International
  • Best On the Water: Winner, Ponce Inlet Watersports; Runner-up, Sea Spirit Deep Sea Fishing
  • Best Park: Winner, Lighthouse Point Park; Runner-up, Blue Spring State Park
  • Best Scenic Boat Tour: Winner, The Manatee Scenic Tour Boat; Runner-up, Paddle Pub Daytona Beach
  • Best Fine Dining: Winner, Stonewood Grill & Tavern; Runner-up, Chart House
  • Best Local Seafood Restaurant: Winner, Caribbean Jack’s; Runner-up, Down The Hatch Seafood Company
  • Best Beachfront Restaurant: Winner, Joe’s Crab Shack; Runner-up, Ocean Deck Restaurant & Beach Club
  • Best Locally Crafted: Winner, Ormond Brewing Company; Runner-up, World’s Most Famous Brewery
  • Best Sweet: Winner, Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory; Runner-up, Zeno’s Boardwalk Sweetshop

About National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW)
National Travel and Tourism Week, (NTTW) the annual celebration of the contributions of the U.S. travel industry, will spotlight the essential role that travel will play in driving economic growth and innovation through the theme #TravelForward. Established in 1983, NTTW is an annual tradition to mark the U.S. travel industry’s role in stimulating economic growth, cultivating vibrant communities, creating quality job opportunities, stimulating business activity, and elevating the quality of life for everyday.

About the Daytona Beach Area | #LoveDaytonaBeach
Experience endless adventures in this eclectic destination that offers the perfect, beach base camp from which to explore the greater Daytona Beach area and all Central Florida. Choose thrilling activities or embrace the tranquility of days spent on 23 miles of world-famous white-sand beaches. With more than 12,000 rooms, and a variety of meeting hotels and unique spaces, the destination has accommodations for meetings and groups of all sizes and budgets. Learn more at DaytonaBeach.com. #LoveDaytonaBeach