THE broad acres of Yorkshire are hoping to take the global tourism industry by storm - after the county’s tourism agency was shortlisted for two of the biggest tourism awards in the world.

Welcome to Yorkshire has been nominated for World’s Leading Marketing Campaign – the UK’s only finalist - and World’s Leading Tourist Board at the World Travel Awards 2012.

And now local people are being encouraged to vote for the county to help bring home the trophies. Voting is open from now until November 25 at yorkshire.com/vote

Chief executive Gary Verity said: “Despite a Government cut to our funding and economic turmoil in Europe, Yorkshire is leading the pack and taking on the world.

“Being shortlisted for these categories is not only great recognition of the team’s work here, but for our dedicated businesses across the county – it’s a team effort in every sense.”

He added: “Our thousands of tourism businesses are undoubtedly the cream of the global crop and these awards – the highest tourism accolades on the planet – recognise that. So I hope people will take a few seconds to vote Yorkshire and help put us on top of the world.”

The awards’ grand finale will be held in Delhi on December 12.