This year’s Cornwall Tourism Awards are now open - and businesses are invited to enter by the deadline of midnight on June 16.

After a record year, in which the region’s tourism awards schemes attracted 605 entries with over 135 winners, the 2017/18 awards have been launched and hospitality businesses across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are invited to enter.

This year builds on the success of the past as well as seeing a few changes. There is a new guided tour category for tours on land and water, alongside criteria changes for hotels, holiday parks and visitor information service. Other categories include glamping, wildlife friendly, self catering, dog friendly, access and inclusivity, B&Bs, spas and wellbeing, active and sporting experience, artistic, cultural and learning experience, cafes, pubs, restaurants, attractions, business tourism, customer service, sustainable tourism and events and festivals.

Feedback from 2016/17 awards entrants has been used to further develop and refine the awards process, with entrants highlighting that their main reason for taking part was to help raise the quality of their businesses and for the free feedback provided. This has led to additional workshops being held for entrants.

Mark Warnes, property and portfolio director at headline sponsors Hoseasons, said: “We are once again very proud to be supporting these awards and very much looking forward to playing our part in recognising the efforts and achievements of tourism businesses across the region. The time, energy and money they continue to invest in their offer is what keeps people coming back year after year, and what makes this area such an enduring holiday hotspot.”

Organiser of the awards Robin Barker added: “Like any good tourism business the awards continue to evolve and develop and this year is no exception. Last year saw record entries as well as wide-ranging feedback, and we look forward to working closely with entrants in helping them stay at the forefront of quality tourism.”

Full details can be found at cornwalltourismawards.org.uk.