The awards celebrate the ‘best in the South West' and aim to promote and reward the leading businesses and individuals in the tourism industry.
The deadline for entering the South West Tourism Excellence Awards has been extended by one more week to the 26th June 2009 to help those businesses who have not had the chance to enter yet.
They are FREE to enter and there are 15 categories to choose from ranging from best hotel, taste, attraction, customer service to business tourism.
The regional winners will be put forward for VisitEngland's, National Enjoy England Awards for Excellence 2010, for which a staggering seven South West businesses received nationwide recognition in April 2009, making the South West the overall winning region.
These awards have proven their worth in presenting an opportunity to businesses to showcase their quality not just to the media and customers, but to build morale amongst staff and gain recognition throughout the community. Entrants need to demonstrate outstanding levels of customer service, plus exemplary facilities, along with a commitment to sustainability, recycling and the environment and being accessible to all.
Malcolm Bell, Director of South West Tourism, said:
"We have already received some great entries however we want to give those businesses that haven't had the chance to enter yet one more week, so they don't miss out on this opportunity. There has never been a better time to enter the regional Excellence Awards than this year, especially if tourism businesses want to promote themselves to potential visitors and promote the quality of their business to make them stand out from the crowd. "
Chris Loughlin, Chief Executive of South West Water, said:
"We are delighted to be once again sponsoring awards which celebrate all that is best about the South West - great days out, good hospitality, wonderful food and drink in a beautiful, clean environment."
Eddie Bent, Managing Director of E-Strategy, said:
"For the last two years we have been involved as sponsor of the Website category, but are pleased to see this award disappear to be replaced by greater importance being allocated across all categories to websites and how well they work. We see this as central to the success of any tourism business in the 21st century and are delighted to expand and maintain our support of the Awards."
Visit our Excellence Awards Page to download an application form from. In addition there are helpful guidance notes and comments from previous winners.
Note: Businesses in Cornwall should in the first instance have entered the Cornwall Tourism Awards, except for the Business Tourism, Tourism Event and Access categories which are only run regionally. Gold, Silver and Bronze Cornwall Tourism Award winners will be automatically fast-tracked into the category equivalent in the regional awards.
Date added: Wednesday 3rd June 2009
Latest updated: Thursday 8th March 2012
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Comments
Jo Bertinet, The Bertinet Kitchen
Winning the South West Tourism Award has been brilliant – it is something we are very proud of and in terms of focusing our staff and strengthening our team it has been invaluable.
Comment made: Monday 22nd June 2009
Michael C B Smith, The Venus Company
This is a fabulous award programme. The rigorous nature of the quality of the application, and the judging, makes it a very worthwhile exercise for any business. If you win, a great accolade. I heartily reccommend it.
Comment made: Wednesday 17th June 2009
Sue Williams, Gidleigh Park Hotel
Do not hesitate to enter, go for it!The award scheme is such a great tool for focusing on all that you do and for giving the team a chance to be recognised for their great work. As the winners of Best Hotel 2009, Gidleigh Park has had great National newspaper coverage, as a result we have seen a great uplift in sales. So many good reasons to enter.
Comment made: Monday 15th June 2009
Cliff Nicholson, Spears Cross
We see competitions as a means of achieving new goals and providing enhanced facilities. They ensure you do not become complacment with your business, you try harder and rise above your competitors. We have enjoyed increased turnover, improved margins as well as greater customer satisfaction....as well as the feeling 'we must be doing it right'.
Comment made: Friday 12th June 2009
Tamsin Loveless, National Maritime Museum Cornwall
Winning the South West's Large Visitor Attraction of the Year has certainly helped raise our profile and resulted in increased footfall. It has also given everyone the pat on the back they deserve, confirming that what we are trying to do must be working. I highly recommend entering the awards.
Comment made: Thursday 11th June 2009
Dawn Fletcher, Hidden Valley Park
I would encourage all tourism businesses to enter these awards. Simply completing the entry form helps you to really focus on your business and what you already achieve. Winning is the icing on the cake! It gives your staff a feeling of great pride and, with the press coverage, it gives your bank balance a boost too!
Comment made: Wednesday 10th June 2009
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