The results for Tiqets’ fourth annual tourism industry awards, the Remarkable Venue Awards, are in! To celebrate the efforts of museums and attractions during a trying year for the tourism industry, and to shine a spotlight on the venues that are moving the industry forward, Tiqets hosted its first online, global Remarkable Venue Awards ceremony on 9 December. 

Celebrating museums and attractions with the Remarkable Venue Awards ceremony 

The 2020 Remarkable Venue Awards ceremony took the form of a global, online event featuring a keynote address from travel journalist and senior travel editor for The Independent Simon Calder and, of course, the announcement of the winning venues from France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, the UK and Ireland, and the US.

Highlights of the awards ceremony included Simon Calder’s talk entitled “Things can only get better” which poked fun at 2020 while sharing an insightful, optimistic view of 2021 and beyond, including never-before-heard predictions for the next decade in travel through 2030.

All of 42 winning venues announced in the awards ceremony will receive a €5,000 marketing package provided by Tiqets designed to help them bounce back faster from the impact of COVID-19.

Meet the winners of the 2020 Remarkable Venue Awards

Interested in finding out more about the awards and how each one is selected? Learn more about our tourism awards selection process here.

Most Remarkable Venue Award

This award recognizes the most popular venues that have both drawn the largest crowds and received the highest-rated visitor reviews on Tiqets in 2020.

France Most Remarkable Venue Winner:

Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac

“… A museum that we visit every time we travel to Paris. It is always an experience!” – Evelyne, Germany

French nominees: Fondation Louis Vuitton, Arc de Triomphe, Château de Chambord

Italy Most Remarkable Venue Winner:

Acquario di Genova

” Great aquarium, for adults and for kids! Lovely time! Definitely recommended!” – Camilla, The UK

Italian nominees: Galleria Borghese, Musei Vaticani, Castel Sant’Angelo

The Netherlands Most Remarkable Venue Winner:

Efteling

” We went back there a week later and enjoyed it again!” – Marina, Germany

Dutch nominees: Madurodam, Rijksmuseum, ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo

Spain Most Remarkable Venue Winner:

Sagrada Familia

“Absolutely stunning. A must place to visit. Definitely returning in the future to see the progress made” – Mary, The UK

Spanish nominees: Museo Reina Sofía, Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Casa Milà – La Pedrera

The UK & Ireland Most Remarkable Venue Winner:

Jameson Distillery Bow St.

“Excellent!!! Lot of details, friendly guide Lauren, beautiful place !” – Michele, Italy

The UK and Ireland nominees: The lastminute.com London Eye, Tower of London, The Real Mary King’s Close

The US Most Remarkable Venue Winner:

Museum of Modern Art

“Very enjoyable, we got in quick and spent a good two hours exploring. Lovely exhibits and sp much to look at. Was a fun experience!” – Frederik, France

The United States’ nominees: New England Aquarium, 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck, Art Institute of Chicago

Best Attraction

This award recognizes the best-rated attractions (including theme parks, zoos and aquariums) based on Tiqets’ visitor reviews in 2020.

France Best Attraction Venue Winner:

Puy du Fou

“Very good experience. Magnificent shows. We can’t wait to return to Puy du Fou to see the shows we haven’t seen.” – Gentius, Spain

French nominees: Disneyland Paris, ZooParc de Beauval, Bioparc de Doué-la-Fontaine

Italy Best Attraction Venue Winner:

Parco Giardino Sigurtà

“Well-kept park, an oasis of peace and tranquility. A little paradise!” – Elisabetta, Italy

Italian nominees: Parco Cavour, Movieland Park, Labirinto della Masone

The Netherlands Best Attraction Venue Winner:

Johan Cruijff ArenA

“Brilliant experience at an amazing stadium and is a must for any football fan. The guide was very knowledgeable and showed us around the changing rooms, the tunnel, the pitch and dugout, the press conference area and the trophy room” – Phil, Iceland

Dutch nominees: THIS IS HOLLAND, BODY WORLDS Amsterdam, Diergaarde Blijdorp

Spain Best Attraction Venue Winner:

IDEAL Centre d’Arts Digitals

“A brilliant experience. The immersion was extraordinary and the virtual reality experience was truly amazing. The staff were fantastic. I’m going again!” – Georgie, The UK

Camp Nou

“Very good experience staff very friendly and welcoming and knowledgeable” – Silviu, The UK

Spanish nominees: Acuario de Sevilla, Zoo Aquarium Madrid

The UK & Ireland Best Attraction Venue Winner:

Stamford Bridge Stadium Tour

“It was excellent. The tour guides were amazing, they explained everything, and answered all of our questions. Thank you very much for this experience! It was a dream come true for me personally” – Pamela, Ireland

The UK and Ireland nominees: Anfield Stadium Tour, Crumlin Road Gaol , The Beatles Story

The US Best Attraction Venue Winner:

Aquarium of the Pacific

“I had a really good time at the aquarium. I loved seeing all the different sea creatures and learning more about their habitat. My personal highlight was that you were allowed to touch some of the rays and sharks!” – Rabea, Switzerland

The United States’ nominees: Island H2O Live, Zoo Miami, The Florida Aquarium

Best Museum

This award recognizes the best-rated museums and art galleries based on Tiqets’ visitor reviews in 2020.

France Best Museum Venue Winner:

Musée des Confluences

“Superb experience! I loved it, it was not the first time I visited the Confluence Museum, but it is still so incredible.” – Philippe, Switzerland

French nominees: Musée des Beaux-Arts de la ville de Paris, Musée de l’Armée, Musée Rodin

Italy Best Museum Venue Winner:

Collezione Peggy Guggenheim

“This was a fantastic experience, we are in awe of such a wonderful collection, definitely worth a visit” – Katharine, New Zealand

Italian nominees: Parco Archeologico di Ercolano, Palazzo Pitti, Napoli Sotterranea

The Netherlands Best Museum Venue Winner:

Van Gogh Museum

“Great exhibitions in a lovely, open building. Easy to navigate. Great facilities e.g. gift shops and cafe. Very informative. Great day out.” – Amy, The UK

Dutch nominees: Het Rembrandthuis, Moco Museum, Museum Escher in Het Paleis

Spain Best Museum Venue Winner:

Casa Museo Salvador Dalí

“Beautiful… Lovely to see how Dali lives with Gala, must see if you are visiting this area. Beautiful house gardens, views.. Loved it!.” – Brigitte, France

Spanish nominees: Fundació Joan Miró, Museo del Prado, Teatro-Museo Dalí

The UK & Ireland Best Museum Venue Winner:

Glasnevin Cemetery Museum

“It was a fantastic experience and our guide Alan was excellent. I would definitely recommend it and I will be coming back again.” – Michael, Ireland

The UK and Ireland nominees: Science Museum, Titanic Belfast, The Postal Museum

The US Best Museum Venue Winner:

USS Midway Museum

“The ship was amazing to walk through and explore. The staff was amazing and helpful. I think they all love being there!.” – Malcom, Canada

The United States’ nominees: Houston Museum of Natural Sciences, California Academy of Sciences, The Field Museum of Natural History

Best Landmark

This award recognizes the best-rated cathedrals, churches, castles, palaces, historical or iconic landmarks based on Tiqets’ visitor reviews in 2020.

France Best Landmark Venue Winner:

Château Royal d’Amboise

“An unforgettable moment, what a wonder!” – Michele, Italy

French nominees: Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel, Sainte-Chapelle, Domaine de Chantilly

Italy Best Landmark Venue Winner:

Palazzo Ducale

“It was splendid! Absolutely recommendable!” – Barbara, Austria

Italian nominees: Basilica di San Pietro, Torre di Pisa, Duomo di Milano

The Netherlands Best Landmark Venue Winner:

SkyView de Pier

“Wonderful view over the beach, together with cake and coffee very relaxing, I can only recommend it, you absolutely have to do it” – Gabriella, Hungary

Dutch nominees: Koninklijk Paleis Amsterdam, Euromast, Molen van Stolen

Spain Best Landmark Venue Winner:

Casa Vicens

“A true visionary and genius leaving his signature in the streets of Barcelona. This splendid house captures Gaudí’s cleverness.” – Eduardo, The Netherlands

Spanish nominees: Casa Batlló, Sagrada Familia, Alhambra

The UK & Ireland Best Landmark Venue Winner:

St Paul’s Cathedral

“Just a stunning place to visit.Even if you are not religious, it is hard not to be moved by the simple beauty of this place.” – Niv, Israel

The Uk and Ireland nominees: British Airways i360, Tower Bridge,
St Johns Beacon Viewing Gallery

The US Best Landmark Venue Winner:

The LINQ High Roller

“Great views of Las Vegas from a birds eye view. The skip the line ticket bypassed the crowds and took us straight up to the High Roller. Great 360 degree view from inside and glad we had a chance to book this event online, easy breezy. Highly recommended.” – Shanhon, The US

The United States’ nominees: One World Observatory, Empire State Building Observatory, Statue of Liberty

Best Onsite Experience

This award recognizes the venues that are best rated for their onsite experience, based on Tiqets’ visitor reviews of staff interaction and information at the venue in 2020.

France Best Onsite Experience Venue Winner:

Dalí Paris

“Fabulous explanations by a fascinating guide. Thank you Madam it was a great moment of Dalían culture. Well layed out, easy to go through, enough space between exhibits to get a good look.” – Amanda, Australia

French nominees: Terra Botanica, Parc Astérix, Cultival: Behind the scenes at the Stade de France

Italy Best Onsite Experience Venue Winner:

Catacombe di San Gennaro

“Great, the guide was lovely and answered every question before we could ask them.” – Mihaela, Romania

Italian nominees: Museo Enzo Ferrari, Parco Natura Viva, Parco Le Caravelle

The Netherlands Best Onsite Experience Venue Winner:

Ripley’s Believe it or Not Amsterdam

“Staff were friendly and couldn’t do more for us. Highly recommend Ripleys if you are coming to Amsterdam and bringing young children.” – Catalin, Romania

Dutch nominees: Heineken Experience, Amsterdam Museum, Het Scheepvaartmuseum

Spain Best Onsite Experience Venue Winner:

Albaola, la factoría marítima vasca

“Amazing company served by an enthusiastic young guide.” – Patrice, Spain

Spanish nominees: Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, El Capricho de Gaudí, Loro Parque

The UK & Ireland Best Onsite Experience Venue Winner:

Irish Whiskey Museum

“Great tour and our host Grace was outstanding and very entertaining. Great job to the staff for the great facility and the tour.” – Nadja, Switzerland

The UK and Ireland nominees: Kensington Palace, Royal Yacht Britannia, Titanic Experience Cobh

The US Best Onsite Experience Venue Winner:

Titanic Museum Attraction

“Was great, staff were amazing, overall best experience. The museum was so beautiful and informative. I really enjoyed the experience and would recommend it to everyone.” – Trina, The US

The United States’ nominees: Maui Ocean Centre, Las Vegas Natural History Museum, Museum of the Bible

Best Hidden Gem Winners

This award recognizes unique, niche attractions that are likely to have been hit hardest by the COVID-19 crisis.

France Best Hidden Gem Venue Winner:

Paris Musées: Musée de la vie romantique

“In 2020, the museum hosted the contemporary art exhibition ‘Hearts’: an event around the representation of the heart as an expression of the feeling of love.”

Italy Best Hidden Gem Venue Winner:

Parco Archeologico di Rudiae

“The Amphitheatre arena is used for -re-enactment events, theatrical guided tours and cycle walks“

The Netherlands Best Hidden Gem Venue Winner:

Youseum

“When reopening in June we wanted to make sure visitors felt safe and inspired by the castle and the stories. Two innovative and successful ideas were implemented.“

Spain Best Hidden Gem Venue Winner:

Museo Chillida Leku

“Chillida Leku is a unique museum, and itself a great work of art. Nature and art naturally come together in the space.”

The UK Best Hidden Gem Venue Winner:

Forth Boat Tours

“We adhere to the Scottish Natural Heritage code on marine pollution and the environment and this is highlighted to our customers during the cruise“

The US Best Hidden Gem Venue Winner:

ARTECHOUSE

“Our mission is to empower the creation of new & exploratory art forms that make an impact

Most Innovative Venue Winners

This award recognizes the venues that responded quickly and creatively to new challenges resulting from the COVID-19 crisis.

France Most Innovative Venue Winner:

Crazy Horse Paris

“All members of Crazy Horse Paris personnel have received detailed training on how to support and apply the reinforced health and safety rules… while leaving Crazy Horse Paris magic intact!”

Italy Most Innovative Venue Winner:

Circo Maximo Experience

“Plexiglass facial shields have been provided to customers”

The Netherlands Most Innovative Venue Winner:

Rijksmuseum Muiderslot

“Heroes are the tour guides that bring Youseum’s message into reality. The mission of our heroes is not only to bring our message close to our audience but also to create a single, unique experience every time a new visitor enters the door.“

Spain Most Innovative Venue Winner:

Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza

“Innovation is key to success, and at Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza innovation is, and will be, our driving force.”

The UK Most Innovative Venue Winner:

Sherlock: The Official Live Game

“We had to develop a new official Sherlock game in an outdoor environment, available via an app so people could play using their own smartphones.“

The US Most Innovative Venue Winner:

The Mob Museum

“We shifted our operations from distilling moonshine to producing hand sanitizer”

Watch the 2020 Remarkable Venue Awards ceremony

What comes next for the Remarkable Venue Awards winners?

The winners for the 2020 Remarkable Venue Awards have been decided, and now we’re calling on museum- and attraction-goers across the globe to help us select the best of the best. 

The selection of the Global Remarkable Venue Award Winners in a best-of-the-best competition will be based on votes cast by consumers for their favourite museums and attractions. Votes can be entered through this online voting portal. The winners of the Best of the Best competition will receive a marketing package from Tiqets worth € 10K.

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Want your venue to have award-winning performance next year? Our team is here to help you plan for the ultimate recovery in 2021. Get in touch!