Hear from some of our South West Tourism Excellence Award winners:

 

Why Enter?

Here's is what some recent winners say:

"It was an honour to join such inspirational award winners on the evening and really refreshing to actively share best practice amongst the attendees. We are thrilled to have been awarded the Regenerative Tourism Award in its very first year and have no doubt this award will inspire future conservationists who visit our holiday parks. We strive to champion responsible tourism and aspire to learn more every day around how we can contribute to a positive difference in our industry, for future generations." Lian, Lovat Parks

"The My Cottages in St Ives team are delighted and honoured to represent Cornwall and the South West in the Visit England Awards for Excellence finals to be held in Liverpool. We are looking forward to an enjoyable evening and meeting the other finalists and sharing our collective journeys through the award process." Nicki, My Cottages in St Ives

"We were absolutely amazed to receive a letter from the House of Commons congratulating us on our awards and thanking us for making our business stand out as a truly excellent example in Cornwall."  Diane & Terry, Sara's Cottage

“We launched in 2020 and have since earnt a Cornwall Tourism Award three years running – we’re delighted to have been recognised again. This award reflects what an incredible team we have and how we strive to offer ‘so much more than just an adrenaline rush’. This achievement will really help us to promote Via Ferrata Cornwall and generate significantly more footfall, with all profits then supporting our launching charity BF Adventure, which helps Cornwall's vulnerable children. We look forward to continuing to provide fantastic value for money adventures. We're very grateful to the South West Tourism Awards, as well as Tregoad Holiday Park (sponsor of the Small Visitor Attraction category) and Plymouth Business School (sponsor for the Winner of Winners award)."  CEO & Director Adrian Richards, Via Ferrata Cornwall

"Entering the Cornwall Tourism Awards has been an incredible journey for the Via Ferrata team, from entering as a new business in 2020/21 and receiving our first Bronze award, building on the excellent comprehensive feedback from the judges year on year, striving to ensure that our facilities, experience and customer service were second to none, we aimed for Gold and seeing all the hard work pay off as we achieved the Gold award in our small attraction category was incredible and a real boost for the team, winning the ‘winner of winners’ award at the end of the awards night just blew us away and has helped catapult Via Ferratas profile and recognition even further and just proves that we are ‘so much more than just an adrenaline rush’.”  CEO & Director Adrian Richards, Via Ferrata Cornwall

"We were blown away to be awarded Gold for Accessible and Inclusive Tourism in only our second year of opening Trevassack. Children’s Sailing Trust are committed to providing opportunities for people of all ages and abilities and to have the hard work of our small team recognised in such a way against so very worthy competitors means so much to us. It was also delightful to have lots of clapping across the cathedral when just our name was mentioned – the word is getting out about our charity’s accessible holidays and watersports and that is thanks in part to these awards."  Katie Chown, Trevassack Holidays

"We’ve found the whole process of entering the awards to be hugely rewarding for our hotel; taking the time to reflect on the year and the team’s achievements was a real moment. Of course winning gold was the icing on the cake – what a wonderful reflection of the hard work of our teams across the whole hotel. Thank you so much” Martin, Budock Vean Hotel

“The Visit Isles of Scilly team are delighted to have won silver for Visitor Information Services. It’s testimony to the hard work, passion, and commitment devoted to ensuring the customer journey is seamless, informative, and inspiring, from our digital communications to the support and welcome received on island"  Amanda, Islands Partnership

'We are so thrilled that we decided to enter the Cornwall Tourism Awards and never even dared to hope that we could win Gold in Cornwall and then to go on to be awarded Silver for the South West! It was lovely to have all our hard work, and that of our small team of staff, our ongoing investment and attention to detail recognised by the judges and we are grateful for their invaluable feedback and tips to help us build upon these successes even further in the future. It is a real honour to display our winners logos on our website and social media, and to display the stunning glass trophies in our reception, and we definitely recommend taking part in the 2022/23 awards - you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain!'  Neil and Annette, Trevalgan Touring Park 

'As an entirely new tourism business and a micro one at that, we felt it so important to review and evaluate our progress so far and looking forward. The Cornwall and South West Tourism Awards provided an opportunity for that, we really had no idea we would go through to the finals. The whole process has been invaluable and inspiring. We are so excited for the future and really feel part of a community of excellence in our sector.'  Liz, Higher Pendeen Camping 

"We are very excited to get our doors open again  and I know from the amount of booking enquiries, that our 2021 CTA success has helped drive that interest, so thank you!"  David, The Boathouse 

"We just wanted to send a quick email to say thank you so much to you, the judges and the sponsors for making the awards happen this year.  We're absolutely over the moon to have received the awards we did and can't really put into words how much it means especially after this year!  But, also it was so lovely to be able to take part in a celebration of tourism in Cornwall after such a stressful year for our industry. Great to have an excuse to get dressed up and celebrate together even if it was virtually!"  Rachael & Matt, Ekopod

"As a business that prides itself on being a fundamental part of their community, this award is always the one we all hope to get nominated for, as being recognised amongst our Cornish peers is so important to us.  Similarly, achieving the Bronze Award last year meant so much to us to be recognised within the locality and to have our pub recognised for its contribution to the Cornish tourist trade. It has been a particularly difficult year with stop/start opening, but the summer was our best year ever, we think it was in some way due to our bronze award last year which we proudly display on our website. These awards are a staple part of the Cornish Tourism trade and to be nominated alone is a massive honour and something we are immensely proud of and will continue to support the awards for years to come for the support and recognition they provide to local businesses and the Cornish tourism trade."  David, The Boathouse Falmouth

"Thanks to all your team for all their efforts.  It's been a great process for me and I can honestly say it has boosted sales enormously, and raised so much awareness locally and nationally for Sailability.  It's taken the business to a whole new level since I first applied."  Tracey, Mylor Sailing School & Mylor Sailability

"Just a quick note to thank you and your team and the Bristol Aerospace team for the most fabulous event on Thursday!  We were so thrilled to have made it through to the South West finals, but to win a Silver was beyond our thoughts!  Eating under Concorde was something we will remember for a very long time, and we loved our visit to the museum during the day - another very kind gesture by the Aerospace team.  I wanted to thank everyone involved, and say how much we have valued the challenge, the judges feedback, and the meeting of others within the Tourism family, as that’s how it feels to us!"  Karen, Encounter Cornwall

“As first-time entrants to the Cornwall Tourism Awards, we are so excited to have received Gold and to experience the first award ceremony at Truro Cathedral. I am so proud of the team and their commitment to providing high-quality experiences. It is fantastic to be recognised in this way for the service we provide across the board.”  Jill, Latitude50

"I think this process has been great for our growth. Every year we are able to look at gold winners and really see what they are doing that we can apply to our own business and grow with. We are already putting in place strong links with our local wetlands steward charity to offer volunteer days, den building and our very own geo cache system on their common ground to encourage our guests to go and explore and use this land. We have also spoken to our neighbouring farm who is going to offer farm visits and farm volunteer husbandry days on his rare breed sheep farm.  I just wanted you to know that as someone very new to this industry, the awards have been pivotal in steering our emphasis. Thank you."  Naomi, East Thorne Cornwall

"Entering awards broadens your perspective. From being focused solely on what you’re doing on a day-to-day basis, you start to look around, hungry for other ideas. The fortunes of the High Street have taught us that even the biggest brands can fail if they don’t keep up to date with shopping trends. Staying one step ahead is vital for continued business success – becoming complacent in any sense is a dangerous path to tread.Not everybody wins of course – but I believe everyone who takes the process seriously learns. And that’s worth its weight in marketing and commercial gold."  Stephen, The Old Barn Tregonetha

"Nigel and I would like to say thank you for a great evening in a delightful location.  It was all very well organised and spot on!"  Sharon & Nigel, Chelsea House Falmouth

"We just want to extend a huge thank you - we’re so honoured to have won gold last night - and the awards plus beautiful setting made for a thoroughly enjoyable evening!"  Milly, Boardmasters