WINNERS ANNOUNCED IN 16TH YEAR OF AWARDS
Business from Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly have been celebrating in this year’s Cornwall Tourism Awards which were joined by Olympic superstar Helen Glover at a prestigious ceremony on 2nd November 2017.
After 6 months of assessing evidence and 131 judging visits, the winners of this year’s Cornwall Tourism Awards have been announced. Now in their 16th year, the awards saw 180 entries entering 26 different categories, with a new one this year for Guided Tours. The awards celebration was enhanced by a stimulating presentation from Gold medal rowing winner and record holder Helen Glover, who ran, swam, played tennis and hockey for Cornwall before becoming two time Olympic champion.
Top winners on the night included the Screech Owl Sanctuary, picking up the prestigious Winner of Winners trophy alongside Golds for Small Attraction and Silver for Access & Inclusivity. There was also an Outstanding Contribution award to Mother Ivey’s Bay’s Patrick Langmaid for commitment to investment, accessibility, sustainability and staff rewards.
Awards organizer Robin Barker introduced the evening saying: “These awards are not about being good. They are about excellence in what is one of the world’s largest, fastest growing and most innovative industries. To be a winner, in a destination with the standing of Cornwall, is something winners should take great pride in.”
Speaking after the awards were presented, Mark Warnes, Hoseasons Property and Portfolio Director, said: “We want to congratulate every one of our award winners and finalists. This year the standard of entries was so high that everyone should be incredibly proud of the passion and dedication they put into their own business. It is this level of commitment to Cornwall that ensures visitors have the best experience and the area remains such a popular destination.”
The 26 award categories covered everything from surf schools, cafes and hotels to cottages, spas and holiday parks. Other Gold winners on the night included the front of house team at the Headland Hotel, Hell Bay Hotel, Carbis Bay Hotel and Spa, Old Lanwarnick Cottages, Wadebridge B&B, Polmanter Touring Park, Visit Truro and Gwel an Mor Resort. Food and Drink Golds went to Boscastle Farm Shop, The Pandora Inn and The Fish House. The two Self Catering Golds went to Mullion Cove luxury apartments and The Old Barn Tregonetha, whilst Attraction Golds went to Tintagel and Screech Owl Sanctuary.
Mylor Sailing School took Gold for Access and Inclusivity, with Lanhydrock, Adventure Segway, Rick Stein’s Cookery School and C Bay Spa taking the Experience Golds. The Glamping Gold was awarded to Safari Cornwall, whilst Perran Sands won Gold for being Wildlife Friendly and Select South West Tours was awarded for its International appeal. The Gold for Tourism Event & Festival went to Looe Music Festival.
Successful businesses in the Cornwall Awards will be fast tracked into matching categories in the South West Tourism Excellence Awards in February 2018 and possibly invited to represent Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly in the 2018 National VisitEngland Awards.
Visit WINNERS for full winner list
Twitter #CTA17 Tweets from @CornwallTA
Photos from the night can be downloaded free of charge from https://nickwilliamsphotographer.co.uk/p511797575
