After a record year in which the region’s tourism awards schemes attracted 647 entries, the 2018/19 awards have been launched and hospitality businesses across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are invited to enter.

This year sees several changes, reflecting the constantly changing nature of tourism. There is a new category for Tourism Innovation and New Business; the former Sustainable Tourism category has been widened to look at additional areas such as employment and use of plastics, and there are many criteria changes.

The awards launch follows just days after the announcement of Cornwall’s success in the final event of the 2017/18 awards when four Cornish and Isles of Scilly entrants were announced as finalists in the national VisitEngland awards:

Holiday Park/Holiday Village of the Year, Gwel an Mor Resort; Holiday Park/Holiday Village of the Year, Polmanter Touring Park; Inclusive Tourism Award, Mylor Sailing School and Small Visitor Attraction of the Year, Screech Owl Sanctuary.

A survey of 2017/18 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 a programme of ‘Tourism Excellence’ workshops, helping businesses move to yet higher levels and giving them the best chances of awards success.

Organiser of the awards Robin Barker said: “Feedback from last year’s entrants tells us that the awards are increasing in their relevance and our suggestions for the future met with an enthusiastic response. We are therefore making a few changes, with perhaps the biggest being that after six fabulous years at Newquay’s Headland Hotel, this year’s awards event will be in Truro Cathedral on 1st November.”

Entry is free, the programmes being funded by a range of sponsors and partners, and all entrants receive feedback. The deadline for entering the awards is midnight on May 22 for all categories except Customer Service Superstar and Tourism Events and Festivals which close on August 22; in a change to previous years businesses that wish to enter Events and Festivals are asked to register now at awards@services4tourism.co.uk.

Full details of the awards and workshops can be found at cornwalltourismawards.org.uk.