The traditional attractions beat newcomers to win recognition in the BT Visit London Awards 2009, supported by.

The Evening Standard, now in their 6th year.London Zoo and the National Maritime Museum (NMM) are both up for the sought-after Visitor Attraction of the Year Award, along with the home of Charles Darwin, the Imperial War Museum, Whitechapel Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery.

The NMM is also in line to win the Best Tourism Experience and Outstanding Customer Service awards. London Zoo and the Natural History Museum, which opens its new Darwin Centre exhibition space next month, have been nominated for Sustainable Tourism and other awards.

Arsenal football club also won three nominations, including Business Venue of the Year. Others in the running for awards include the organisers of the World Tewnty20 cricket tournament and the Redbridge Cycling Centre for its Olympic handover from Beijing.

The judges will announce the winners in 14 categories, including best large and small hotels and “best gastronimic experience”, at the Westfield shopping centre in November. Sally Chatterjee, interim CEO Visit London said: “The BT Visit London Awards celebrate London's world-class tourism offer and recognise and reward outstanding achievement within the industry.

"I would like to thank all the businesses that submitted entries, which have been of the highest calibre and made the short-listing process was very challenging. I congratulate all of the finalists and wish them the best of luck.” Next month, Visit London will give Londoners and tourists the chance to nominate and vote for their own favourites in the People's Choice Awards.