Business
October 11, 2010 - 19:28
Cornwall Tourism Awards 2010 Winners Are Announced
Tags: Roundhouse Barn Holidays, Scarlet Hotel, Tourism Awards, Visit Cornwall
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Truro Roundhouse Barn Holidays has been crowned Cornwall’s Tourism Business of the Year, after winning the coveted overall “Winner of Winners” trophy at this year’s Cornwall Tourism Awards at St Mellion International Resort (on Thursday 7th October).
In front of an audience of over 300 people, ranging from restaurateurs and hoteliers to industry leaders and tourism associations, the luxury five star, self-catering and B&B holiday provider, overcame competition from fourteen other category winners to claim the evening’s top prize.
The overall title made it a hat-trick of awards for Roundhouse Barn Holidays, adding to the gold award for Small Self-Catering Establishment of the Year and silver award for B&B/Guest Accommodation that it picked up earlier in the evening. Mark Sadler, owner of the St Just-in-Roseland based business, enthused: "We are absolutely ecstatic with our triple award win. We were thrilled to reach the finals but to be crowned Winner of Winners and to take gold and silver titles is a tremendous achievement. This is a tribute to all those in the team who have helped to create five star accommodation that we are immensely proud of, and as this award shows, the industry is also proud of. It’s a huge accolade.”
Joining Roundhouse Barn Holidays on the coveted winners roll were the Eden Project and Penlee House Gallery and Museum, who for the second consecutive year, took the titles of Large and Small Visitor Attractions of the Year respectively. The Bodmin Visitor Centre also celebrated retaining gold from last year and impressively now boasts holding the title of Tourist Information Centre of the Year for five of the nine years that the Awards have been running.
The Cornwall Tourism Awards are organised and presented by VisitCornwall, the Cornwall Development Company tourism service for the county, and have become a barometer for quality across the tourism industry. Cornwall Development Company Chairman, Martin Brooks, comments: “Once again, the Cornwall Tourism Awards have highlighted the fantastic visitor offering that we have in Cornwall and demonstrated the strength in service, product and character that we have in this great county.
“All our winners are Cornish success stories and act as standard bearers, showing the way forward for tourism in Cornwall, and indeed the UK.”
Carolyn Rule, Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration and Tourism Portfolio Holder, adds: “Tourism is unquestionably important to Cornwall and the businesses recognised in the Cornwall Tourism Awards play a significant role in developing and strengthening that relationship. Although diverse in offering and market positioning, all the winners have a common key ingredient; unwavering quality, and it is this that makes them market leaders and deserving ambassadors for Cornwall.”
Malcolm Bell, Head of Tourism, was equally impressed with the quality of winners: “The Cornwall Tourism Awards judging process is rigorous across all business operations and include mystery shopper visits as well as assessment by industry experts. To be recognised in the Awards is an amazing achievement and each and every business should be very proud of themselves. It is a privilege to congratulate them and I look forward to working with them to enhance Cornwall’s position as a leading destination.”
Further contributing to the success stories for the night was the Mawgan Porth based, Bedruthan Steps Hotel and The Scarlet, who claimed Large and Small Hotel of the Year respectively. Under the banner of RED Hotels the two hotels also combined to take the gold Sustainable Tourism Award in recognition of their deep-rooted commitment to environmental policies and green tourism.
Global Boarders of Marazion also added to the list of multiple award winners, taking the title of Leisure Experience of the Year as well as bronze for sustainability which they shared with the Primrose Valley Hotel in St Ives.
The spotlight also shone on the team at Tintagel Castle who were singled out for their consistently high quality customer care and honoured with the Outstanding Customer Service Award. This marks the first year that the Award has gone to a team rather than an individual as a jubilant Tony Rees, Operations Manager at the castle, explains: "We are thrilled at winning this Customer Services Award, it is something very special. Not only does it demonstrate the high level of service that we seek to constantly provide but it is a highly prized recognition of the efforts of the entire team at Tintagel Castle. Everyone works together and shares a passion for excellence and a pride in their work."
An emotional tribute was paid to tourism stalwart, Lynn Goold, who has spearheaded over 30 years of tourism development in Fowey and was honoured with the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award. As the inspiration behind the Du Maurier Festival and the owner of the Fowey Tourist Information Centre & Literacy Centre, Lynn has been instrumental to the popularity of Fowey. Simon Tregonning, Chairman of the VisitCornwall Partnership, comments : “Through patience and perseverance Lynn has made a tremendous difference, not only to the town of Fowey itself but to the enjoyment of thousands of visitors. Lynn loves and nurtures tourism, provides excellent customer service and spreads a literacy passion, and it is this commitment and dedication that makes Lynn Goold a truly deserving recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award.”
Guest speaker, Ben Fogle, who is well-known for having previously presented BBC’s Animal Park, Countryfile and Crufts and for staring in BBC2’s On Thin Ice, added to the evening’s celebrations with an entertaining pre-dinner talk in which he shared tales of his visits to Cornwall and described his love for the county.
The Cornwall Tourism Awards gold, silver and bronze winners will now go on to represent the county in the South West Regional Awards and ultimately the National Excellence Awards.
The Cornwall Tourism Awards 2010 are generously sponsored by a number of eminent business in the county including Cornwall Catering Excellence, Newquay Fruit Sales, Exhibitions South West Ltd, Hotel Perfect, Rodda’s, Nixon, Brewer & Bunney Ltd, Scott Burridge Commercial, RH Advertising, Eden Project, CATA, Newquay for Excellence Training, cornishfoodmarket.co.uk, Carrier Direct Marketing, Jarrang Ltd and Blue Chip Vacations.
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