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Celebrations as South West Tourism Excellence Award winners announced

7th February 2020

Categories: Visitor News

Tourism businesses across the south west were celebrating as the winners of the South West Tourism Excellence Awards were announced at Exeter Cathedral on 6^th February. After a record year for the Tourism Awards, it was a fitting venue for the annual celebration which works to recognise the region’s most excellent tourism businesses. This year’s event was the biggest gathering of representatives from across the south west, with 374 guests attending and 107 different awards being presented. All the winners underwent a rigorous judging process in which a record 773 entries were considered.

Local children from Ilslington CofE Primary School opened the proceedings and the Very Reverend Jonathan Greener, Dean of Exeter gave a special address.

A number of Devon’s top tourism businesses received awards on the night across a variety of categories. North Hayne Farm Cottages, Reach Outdoors, River Dart Country Park and Pentillie Castle, near Plymouth, were the biggest winners on the night with several awards each.

Image: North Hayne Farm Cottages.

In the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award, North Hayne Cottages received a Silver award and then in the Self-Catering Accommodation category, were awarded Gold. Reach Outdoors won Bronze in the Learning Experience of the Year and were Commended in the Active and Sporting category, along with Adventure Okehampton.

Image: Reach Outdoors.

The Pentillie Castle estate appeared in a number of categories, with their B&B accommodation receiving Bronze in the B&B and Guesthouse category and a commended in the Ethical Tourism category, with the River Dart Country Park receiving Silver. They also received Gold for their Touring Camping and Caravanning facilities, with Harford Bridge coming away with the Bronze award.

Image: River Dart.

When it comes to accommodation, there were lots of winners from Devon. In the B&B and Guesthouse category, Torquay’s 25 Boutique won Gold while their neighbours in Brixham, the Driftwood B&B were commended.

Image: 25 Boutique.

Ladram Bay were awarded Silver in the Holiday Park of the Year and Cofton Holidays were commended while Salcombe Harbour Hotel received Bronze in the Large Hotel of the Year category.

Image: Salcombe Harbour Hotel.

The Cary Arms Hotel and Spa won Bronze for Small Hotel of the Year and Ilsington Country House Hotel were commended in the Spa category. For alternative accommodation, Devon Yurt won Silver in the Glamping category.

Image: Devon Yurt.

Kents Cavern received Bronze in the International Toursim Award category with Dartington’s International Summer School and Festival being commended.

Image: Salcombe Distilling Company.

Salcombe Distilling Company won Gold for Small Visitor Attraction, with the Bear Trail being commended and Glas-Denbury receiving Bronze in the Tourism Event of the Year Award. In the Tourism Innovation Award, Dartmouth Steam Railway won Gold and Event Exeter were named Silver for Business Event Venue of the Year. Finally, the Great Western Restaurant at Bovey Castle were commended in the Restaurant of the Year award.

Image: Dartmouth Steam Railway.

The English Riviera Visitor Centre were also recognised, receiving Silver in the Visitor Information Service of the Year category.

The top performers in matching categories will now go on to be nominated for the national VisitEngland Awards which take place in the summer.

As if receiving these award in their own county wasn’t enough, all guests were treated to a conversation from two of Exeter Chief’s top rugby players following the ceremony.

Image: Pentillie Castle.

Awards organisers, Robin Barker from Services for Tourism, said: “I never cease to be amazed by the innovation, dedication and imagination of our tourism businesses, not to mention their sheer hard work. It’s humbling to be part of this and I’d like to add my congratulations to all the winners.”

Image: Glas-denbury.

Speaking about the awards, Jeremy Mitchell, marketing and communications director at St Austell Brewery, the headline sponsor of this year’s awards, said: “There are so many businesses and individuals in our region that deserve to be recognised for their outstanding contribution and world-class hospitality. We’d like to congratulate those who were awarded for their best practise, hard work and excellent service. It was a fantastic night of celebration and all of the winners should feel extremely proud of all that they continue to achieve.”

Congratulations to all our winners, you can see a full list of the categories and winners here.

All images from Nick Williams.