Lights in Alingsås nominated for the Grand Tourism Award

Lights in Alingsås from the region Västra Götaland, Halland and Jonkoping, has been shortlisted for the Grand Tourism Award Finals at the Swedish Tourism Gala on October .20 in Stockholm.
- We are proud and very happy! In the month of October, Lights in Alingsås shows Alingsås town centre in a different and beautiful light – every evening and outdoors! Today it is one of Western Sweden's most famous attractions. The project also has major international impact. Over the years lighting designers from around the world have visited Alingsås to gain inspiration and learn, says Kjell Hult, development manager in Alingsås.

The Major Tourism Award is presented annually to actors who have promoted and developed Swedish tourism, the Foundation for Knowledge Promotion in tourism along with the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth. The foundation collaborates with regard to the nominations and the Swedish travel and tourist industry (RTS). The prize money is SEK 100 000.

The selection of finalists is the result of public voting. RTS collected nominations and sent them out to the six areas in which companies operate. A jury in each district has elected a finalist for the Major Tourism Award. The Foundation Board decides on the final winner of the Tourism Award 2011 during the gala at Chinateatern in Stockholm on 20th October.

The jury gave the following justification for the nominee:
"Lights in Alingsås is Northern Europe's largest event for experimental lighting which annually attracts about 70,000 visitors. The initiative engages the business community, tourism industry, universities and international partners. Lights in Alingsås is a unique lighting event which has already been recognized with several international awards, and which highly contributed to the development of Swedish tourism. "

For more information about the gala, see www.turistgalan.se