Teen refugee from Ukraine crowned rising star of north Wales tourism industry
A teenager who fled the war in Ukraine has been crowned as the rising star of the tourism industry in north Wales.
Yuliia Batrak, 19, a student at Coleg Llandrillo, won Young Person in Tourism and Hospitality prize at the prestigious Go North Wales Tourism Awards.
At the other end of the age spectrum, the blue riband Service to Tourism Award went to Geoff Lofthouse, 70, who retired recently after more than 40 years as manager of the four star Imperial Hotel in Llandudno.
The annual event at Venue Cymru was organised by North Wales Tourism to celebrate the dedication, skill and achievements of the region’s tourism and hospitality industry.
It was hosted by former BBC journalist Sian Lloyd and the headline sponsor once again was Harlech Foodservice which supplies many of the region’s hotels, guest houses and restaurants and has renewed its support for three years.
Originally from the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, Yuliia came to the UK with her mother, Liudmyla, and younger sister Alona after Russia invaded their homeland.
She said: “I’m over the moon to win this award. It’s really exciting because this has been such an amazing journey for me.
“I have worked really hard for it but really didn’t expect to win because there are so many great people in this category.
“I came here three and a half years ago and had always wanted to work in tourism and hospitality, at first in food and now in a front of house role.
“North Wales is a really friendly place and the people have really accepted me.
“It’s now my second home so I am really honoured to be chosen for this award.
“Eventually I would like to own my own place, a high end hotel or restaurant and possibly with some Ukrainian influences.”
Yuliia has been a student at Coleg Llandrillo since 2022 and is studying for a Level 3 Diploma in Food and Beverage Service Supervision. She also works part time at the George Hotel in Llandudno
She is part of the UK skills food service team representing the UK and Wales at European and world competitions.
Earlier this year she was awarded the Medallion for Excellence at the EuroSkills 2025 competition in Denmark.
Yuliia’s personal tutor Mike Garner, a hospitality lecturer at Coleg Llandrillo, said: “From the very first training sessions I spent with Yuliia, you could see she had the dedication and focus to achieve great things and gain great success.
“I am incredibly proud of Yuliia and all that she has achieved so far. She has also been a has been a positive influence on her peers and become a real example of what hard work and dedication can achieve.
“She is consistently cheerful and always embraces her challenges and opportunities with a big smile and cheerful demeanour.”
Showcase
Among the other big winners on the night was fairytale 19th century hotel Chateau Rhianfa, spectacularly located overlooking the Menai Strait and across to breathtaking views of Eryri.
The 26-bedroom, Grade II listed chateau on the outskirts of Menai Bridge was named Hotel of the Year, having built a reputation as one of the most iconic places to stay in Wales.
A very different business, located nearby on the shoreline in Menai Bridge, also came out on top.
RibRide, which offers high-speed boat trips around the Anglesey coastline, was named as Activity or
Experience of the Year – 20 years after they launched their first rib into the Menai Strait.
The business has also been recognised on Trip Advisor as the best boat tour operator in the UK and carries over 20,000 passengers a year.
A giant of the adventure tourism industry, won the Visitor Attraction of the Year accolade, confirming its place as one of north Wales’ greatest success stories.
The company, which has its headquarters in Llanrwst, and began with its world famous zip line over Penrhyn Quarry in Bethesda, been tough competition to take home the top prize.
Meanwhile, the acclaimed Signatures restaurant, based at the Aberconwy Resort & Spa in Conwy also tasted success.
The eatery headed up by chef Jimmy Williams and his wife, Louise, was honoured as Restaurant of the Year.
It’s also been named Wales’ Best Restaurant at the World Culinary Awards three times.
Geoff Lofthouse was also delighted to be honoured at the event and he said: “I came to manage the Imperial Hotel 44 years ago in 1981 and really only expected to be here for a year or at most 18 months.
“I’ve loved it here. North Wales is just such a wonderful place to live the Imperial has been a great hotel to run.
“I’ve been able to do a lot of interesting things there and we won then AA Hotel of the Year for Wales and now receiving this award is another highlight now that I’m retired.
“Now I’m just going to play a bit of golf and play around with cars and just enjoy life the way I enjoyed my work.”
According to head judge, Jim Jones, the chief executive of North Wales Tourism, Geoff Lofthouse was a very worthy winner of the Service to Tourism Award.
He said: “What Geoff has achieved over more than four decades at the helm of the Imperial Hotel has been remarkable and has helped cement Llandudno’s reputation as the Queen of Resorts.
“He is a real role model to those following in his footsteps, including the truly inspirational Yuliia Batrak who is already making her mark in the industry and has an incredibly bright future ahead of her.
“I would like to congratulate both Geoff and Yuliia and every single one of the winners but I would also like to stress that all the nominees are the heroes of our tourism and hospitality industry.
“This event really showcases the very best of north Wales and we have seen so many amazing entries, all of which underlines why this is a truly world class destination for visitors.”
Harlech Foodservice Sales director Mark Lawton said: “We’re thrilled to continue our support for the North Wales Tourism Awards so we can celebrate the people and businesses who help make north Wales one of the UK’s top visitor destinations.
“This event has become a real highlight in the region’s calendar and plays a vital role in recognising a sector that’s at the heart of the north Wales economy.”
“We’re incredibly lucky to live and work in such a beautiful part of the world. Visitors come here for the scenery and adventure, but great food and drink are a huge part of the experience too. That’s why we always try to source as much as possible from local producers — it’s something we’re passionate about.”
“North Wales is a world-class destination — diverse, innovative and full of character.. After everything the industry has been through, particularly during the pandemic, it’s fantastic to be able to give something back and celebrate the success of our core customers.”
He added: “As a major north Wales employer, we’re proud that our teams, suppliers and customers all contribute to the local economy. The money spent with us stays in the region — supporting local venues, tradespeople and producers — creating a real circular economy that keeps north Wales thriving.”
Full list of winners at Go North Wales Tourism Awards
- New Tourism Business of the Year sponsored by Lanyon Bowdler: Cae Môr Hotel, Llandudno
- Pet Friendly Award sponsored by Snuggles Doggy Daycare and Boarding: The Stella Historic, Llandudno B&B
- Bro a Byd Award for Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism sponsored by Development Bank of Wales: Hafan y Môr Holiday Park, Pwllheli
- Restaurant of the Year sponsored by Pario Leisure Group: Signatures, Conwy
- Bistro, Café and Coffee Shop of the Year sponsored by Business in Wales: Providero, Llandudno Junction and Llandudno
- Activity Experience of the Year sponsored by Snowdonia Hospitality and Leisure: RibRide, Menai Bridge
- Visitor Attraction of the Year sponsored by SF Parks: Zip World
- Hotel of the Year sponsored by Condor Hotels: Chateau Rhianfa, Menai Bridge,
- Self Catering of the Year sponsored by Carbon Zero Group: Emlyn’s Coppice, Gwespyr, Holywell
- B&B, Inn and Guest House of the Year sponsored by Castell Howell Foods: Black Boy Inn, Caernarfon
- Glamping, Camping and Caravan site of the Year sponsored by PODS Cymru: Rhaeadr Nantcoll Waterfalls, Llanbedr, Gwynedd
- Holiday Park of the Year sponsored by Voel Coaches: Gimblet Rock Holiday Park, Pwllheli
- Event of the Year sponsored by Copa Training: Supercar Sunday North Wales, Llandudno
- Marketing & Media Recognition Award sponsored by Heart North and Mid Wales: Oyster Holiday Cottages, Menai Bridge
- Tourism Service/Product Supplier of the Year sponsored by Hafan y Môr Holiday Park: Llanfairpwll Distillery
- Young Person in Tourism and Hospitality sponsored by Coleg Llandrillo: Yuliia Batrak,
- Cruise North Wales Award sponsored by Cruise Wales/Mordaith Cymru: Holyhead Town Council
- Service to Tourism Award sponsored by Tir Prince Leisure Group: Geoff Lofthouse, Imperial Hotel, Llandudno
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