The best of the South West were celebrating last night at the South West Tourism Excellence Awards 2010-2011, in association with South West Water and Blue Chip Holidays.
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 regional awards took place last night (15 November 2010) at the Riviera International Conference Centre Torquay, where 42 outstanding tourism businesses and 6 of the region's top Tourist Information Centres were presented with prestigious awards.
This year's awards event was presented by journalist and broadcaster Declan Curry, best known for presenting the business on BBC Breakfast and hosting BBC's Working Lunch business programme. The Gold Award winners at this years awards will all now go on to represent the region at the National Enjoy England Awards for Excellence in 2011.
Alistair Handyside, Chairman of South West Tourism, said:
"I am absolutely delighted with not only the standard of entries, but also the calibre, dedication and passion for quality of our winners - the tourism industry of the South West goes from strength to strength. Each year, we showcase what is truly excellent about our visitor economy and we celebrate success - in customer service and experience and our industry in general.
I wish all success in the future to our winners and finalists, I am sure that winning these awards will have a hugely positive impact on their businesses. As Chair of South West Tourism, I am immensely proud that excellence in the South West is recognised and rewarded and long may this continue!"
Chris Loughlin, Chief Executive of South West Water, said:
"Our congratulations to all this year's winners proving yet again why excellent hospitality and a beautiful environment is the South West's not so secret formula for tourism success. I am sure they will all take the region's reputation forward with pride into the national awards."
Alan Taylor, Managing Director of luxury South West self-catering provider Blue Chip Holidays, said:
"The South West Tourism Excellence Awards have once again shone a beacon on the finest of the region's of attractions, accommodation providers and tourism focused businesses. We can be very proud of all the winners, each of whom has shown that when times are tough a determined focus on quality is the very best way to thrive.
"Special mention has to go to The Scarlet, a paragon for all tourism focused businesses to aspire to. They have shown that excellence is the best approach to building an outstanding reputation, and they have successfully leveraged Cornwall's natural resources to create a unique proposition in what is a very competitive national and international market. What the owners have achieved in such a short space of time is quite simply stunning and they are very worthy winners of the South West Tourism Excellence Awards Winner of Winners title."
Commenting on the special award presented to Tourist Information Centres Alan Taylor, Managing Director of Blue Chip Holidays, said:
"The South West can take great pride in the fact that we have six of the top rated Tourist Information Centres in the entire country. The role that they play is vital to tourism and the fact that they have created a ‘Best Practise sharing group' is a fine example of how collaboration can lead to exemplary levels of achievement. At a time when the public sector is under increasing pressure, this enlightened approach is a fine example to other organisations."
SMALL VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Flagship Consulting South West - www.flagshipconsulting.co.uk
GOLD AWARD
Hestercombe Gardens, Somerset www.hestercombe.com
SILVER AWARD
Penlee House Gallery & Museum, Cornwall www.penleehouse.org.uk
FINALISTS
Exmoor Zoo, Barnstaple, Devon www.exmoorzoo.co.uk
Edward Jenner Museum, Gloucestershire www.jennermuseum.com
SELF CATERING & SERVICED APARTMENTS OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Pavey Group - www.paveygroup.co.uk
GOLD AWARD
Millbrook Cottages, Devon www.millbrookcottages.co.uk
SILVER AWARD
Roundhouse Barns Holidays, Cornwall www.roundhousebarnholidays.co.uk
Mazzard Farm, Devon www.mazzardfarm.com
FINALISTS
Hembury Court, Devon www.hemburycourt.co.uk
The Sail Lofts, Cornwall www.thesaillofts.co.uk
TOURISM INFORMATION SERVICE OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Take One Media - www.takeonemedia.co.uk
GOLD AWARD
Gloucester TIC, Gloucestershire www.thecityofgloucester.co.uk
SILVER AWARD
Salisbury TIC, Wiltshire www.visitsalisbury.com
BRONZE AWARD
Lyme Regis TIC, Dorset www.westdorset.com
FINALISTS
Swanage TIC, Dorset www.visitswanageandpurbeck.co.uk
Cartgate TIC, Somerset www.visitsouthsomerset.com
Dorchester TIC, Dorset www.westdorset.com
B&B, GUEST ACCOMMODATION & INN OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by South West Water - www.southwestwater.co.uk
GOLD AWARD
The Somerville, Torquay www.somervillehotel.co.uk
SILVER AWARD
Launceston Farm, Dorset www.launcestonfarm.co.uk
FINALISTS
Fern Cottage, Bristol www.ferncottagebedandbreakfast.co.uk
Boskenna Home Farm, Cornwall www.luxury-cornwall.co.uk
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD
Sponsored by Triodos Bank - www.triodos.co.uk
GOLD AWARD
Bedruthan Steps & Scarlet Hotels, Cornwall www.bedruthan.com & www.scarlethotel.co.uk
SILVER AWARD
Mazzard Farm, Devon www.mazzardfarm.com
Alison Howell's Foot Trails, Bath www.foottrails.co.uk
BRONZE AWARD
Wheatland Farm, Devon www.wheatlandfarm.co.uk
FINALISTS
Bristol Zoo Gardens, Bristol www.bristolzoo.org.uk
Pennywell Farm, Devon www.pennywellfarm.co.uk
ACCESS FOR ALL
Sponsored by Business Link www.businesslink.gov.uk/southwest
GOLD AWARD
Colston Hall, Bristol www.colstonhall.org
SILVER AWARD
Atlantis Holiday Apartments, Torquay www.atlantistorquay.co.uk
BRONZE AWARD
Winford Manor, N Somerset www.winfordmanor.co.uk
FINALISTS
Crealy Devon, Devon www.crealy.co.uk
Kernock Cottages, Cornwall www.kernockcottages.com
South Torfrey, Cornwall www.southtorfreyfarm.com
TOURISM EVENT OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Bristol Airport www.bristolairport.co.uk
GOLD AWARD
The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival, Gloucestershire www.cheltenhamfestivals.com
SILVER AWARD
Bournemouth Air Festival, Bournemouth www.bournemouthair.co.uk
FINALISTS
Bath Christmas Market, Bath www.bathchristmasmarket.co.uk
Cornwall Food & Drink Festival, Cornwall www.cornwallfoodanddrinkfestival.com
LARGE HOTEL OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Hotel Perfect www.hotelperfect.co.uk
GOLD AWARD
Bovey Castle, Devon www.boveycastle.com
SILVER AWARDS
Mercure Holland House Bristol, Bristol www.mercure.com
Bedruthan Steps, Cornwall www.bedruthan.com
FINALIST
Novotel Bristol Centre, Bristol www.novotel.com
St Mellion International Resort, Cornwall www.st-mellion.co.uk
BUSINESS TOURISM AWARD
Sponsored by the Met Office www.metoffice.gov.uk
GOLD AWARD
Event Exeter, Devon www.exeter.ac.uk/eventexeter
SILVER AWARD
Bristol Marriott City Centre, Bristol www.marriott.com
FINALISTS
Doubletree by Hilton Cadbury House, N Somerset www.cadburyhotelbristol.co.uk
Riviera International Conference Centre, Torquay www.ricc.co.uk
SMALL HOTEL OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Bishop Fleming www.bishopfleming.co.uk
GOLD AWARD
The Scarlet, Cornwall www.scarlethotel.co.uk
SILVER AWARDS
Combe House Devon, Devon www.combehousedevon.com
Star Castle Hotel, Isles of Scilly www.star-castle.co.uk
FINALISTS
Alveston House Hotel, Bristol www.alvestonhousehotel.co.uk
Boskerris, Cornwall www.boskerrishotel.co.uk
BEST TOURISM EXPERIENCE & ACTIVITY
Sponsored by Space www.agencyspace.co.uk
GOLD AWARD
Gourmet Surf Experience, from Global Boarders and Ben's Cornish Kitchen, Cornwall www.globalboarders.com
SILVER AWARD
Travels on Horseback, Somerset www.travelsonhorseback.com
BRONZE AWARD
Treasure Trails, Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset and Gloucestershire www.treasuretrails.co.uk
FINALIST
O'Connors Campers, Devon www.oconnorscampers.co.uk
Go Ape, Devon, Dorset & Gloucestershire www.goape.co.uk
OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE
Sponsored by Lloyds TSB Commercial www.lloydstsbbusiness.com
GOLD AWARD
Sarah Lee, from The Big Sheep, Devon
SILVER AWARD
Ashley Johnson from Aztec, Bristol
BRONZE AWARD
Cheryl King from Northcote Manor, Devon
FINALISTS
The Team at Tintagel Castle, Cornwall
The Marketing Team from the RNLI Lifeboat College, Poole
HOLIDAY PARK OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Stephens Scown solicitors www.stephens-scown.co.uk
GOLD AWARD
Mother Ivey's Bay, Cornwall www.motheriveysbay.com
SILVER AWARD
Woodovis, Devon http://www.woodovis.com/
BRONZE AWARD
Dolbeare, Cornwall www.dolbeare.co.uk
FINALISTS
Cofton Country Holidays, Devon www.coftonholidays.co.uk
Wood Farm, Dorset www.woodfarm.co.uk
TASTE OF THE SOUTH WEST
Sponsored by Expowest www.expowestexhibitions.com
GOLD AWARD
Porthminster Beach Cafe, Cornwall www.porthminstercafe.co.uk
SILVER AWARDS
Bordeaux Quay, Bristol www.bordeaux-quay.co.uk
The Lazy Toad, Devon www.thelazytoad.co.uk
FINALISTS
Moreton Tearooms, Dorset www.moretontearooms.co.uk
The Eastbury Hotel, Dorset www.theeastburyhotel.co.uk
LARGE ATTRACTION
Sponsored by Resort Marketing www.resortmarketing.co.uk
GOLD AWARD
Eden Project, Cornwall www.edenproject.com
SILVER AWARD
Castle Drogo, Devon www.nationaltrust.org.uk
BRONZE AWARD
Bristol Zoo Gardens, Bristol www.bristolzoo.org.uk
FINALISTS
The Roman Baths & Pump Room, Bath www.romanbaths.co.uk
Longleat, Wiltshire www.longleat.co.uk
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
To the Tourist Information Centres of:
WINNER OF WINNERS
Sponsored by Exeter International Airport www.exeter-airport.co.uk
The Scarlet, Cornwall www.scarlethotel.co.uk
Date added: Thursday 11th November 2010
Latest updated: Friday 7th June 2013
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