Businesses vie for top spots in 2012 Cornwall Tourism Awards
9:00am Friday 12th October 2012 in News
The new Fal River Visitor Information Centre, St Michael’s Hotel and the National Maritime Museum are among business up for this year’s Cornwall Tourism Awards 2012.
The shortlist has been announced after 117 entries across 16 award categories were put through a rigorous judging process headed up by experienced industry professionals. Factors taken into account included quality of service and value for money, alongside commitment to staff training and development, the environment and accessibility.
The list of finalists sees a number of past winners who have continued to show consistency in the quality of their offer, as well as many ‘first-timers’ in the awards.
In Falmouth the Fal River Visitor Information Centre is vying for the top spot in the tourist information service of the year section, while the National Maritime Museum will battle for the best large visitor attraction award.
St Michael’s Hotel & Spa in Falmouth is in the running for the best large hotel prize.
Among those also up for an award are Penlee House, Penzance, Porthcurno Telegraph Museum in the small visitor attraction section. Atlantic House B&B, The Lizard has been nominated in the best B&B section, while Mullion Cove Hotel is aiming for the award in the best small hotel category.
Both Harbour Lights Café in Coverack and Miss Peapods in Penryn are going head to head in the cafe and tearoom section of the awards, while Pandora Inn and The Victorian Inn, Perranuthnoe will be among those competing for the pub of the year award.
Cornish Riding Holidays at Redruth, Kneehigh at Chiverton Cross and Ticket to Ride Surf School, Perranporth are up for the tourism, sport and experience of the year.
Emma Rojano, from VisitCornwall, said: “The diversity of finalists underlines the richness of holiday experience available in Cornwall and demonstrates that quality is key. Now in their eleventh year, the awards continue to highlight those businesses that consistently deliver excellence. To gain a placing on the finals board is an amazing achievement and all of the businesses should be immensely pleased with themselves”.
Plans are now in full swing for the Grand Awards Dinner on Thursday, November 8 at The Headland Hotel in Newquay when the winners will be announced and crowned category champions. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Cornwall Wildlife Trust the awards will be presented this year by wildlife TV presenter Nick Baker.
