The finalists have been announced for the 2020/21 Cornwall Tourism Awards after an extended ten-month programme.
113 entries were received into the awards, with 77 selected as finalists who are now in suspense until the awards day scheduled for February 25, when they will learn whether they have won Gold, Silver, Bronze or a Special award. A further 14 receive Commended status.
The 19th year of the competition has been run in unprecedented times for tourism, but the focus on excellence and feedback for entrants has remained as relevant as ever.
Deborah Heather of headline sponsors Quality in Tourism said: “Despite experiencing one of the worst crises in living memory, the Cornwall Tourism and Hospitality industry continues to show resilience and shines with some truly inspirational entries to this year’s awards. All of us at Quality in Tourism are honoured and humbled to be headline sponsor of the Cornwall Awards; quite honestly, we salute you all.”
Malcolm Bell, head of VisitCornwall, commented: “In what has been an extraordinary year for Cornwall it is refreshing to have something for our excellent tourism businesses to celebrate. Many congratulations to everyone for your ongoing investments in excellence.”
Awards organiser, Robin Barker of Services for Tourism, added: “The past ten months have been a challenge for everyone – to survive let alone prosper.
“Having considered abandoning the awards I’m so glad we persevered, adapting and changing along the way to reflect the ever-changing situation. The delight we’re witnessing amongst finalists on being told of their success makes it all so worthwhile!”
FINALISTS
ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE TOURISM AWARD
- Harrods Cornish Cottages, Penhallow
- Landal Gwel an Mor Resort, Portreath
- Sara’s Cottage, Truro
B&B AND GUESTHOUSE OF THE YEAR
- Old Embassy House, Fowey
- Trewornan Manor, Wadebridge
- Wingletang Guest House, Isles of Scilly
BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR
- Ben Harper – Watergate Bay Hotel
- Jack Ashby-Wright, Talland Bay Hotel
- Martin Barlow, Budock Vean Hotel
- Scott Fisher – Karma St Martins
CAFÉ/TEAROOM OF THE YEAR
- Teacup Tearoom, Mevagissey
- The Thirstea Co, Portscatho
DOG FRIENDLY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
- Gwelmor Holiday Home, Bude
- Hut and Hound, St Austell
- Kernock Cottages, Saltash
- Teacup Tearoom, Mevagissey
- The Cornish Seal Sanctuary, Gweek
ETHICAL, RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD
- Camp Kernow, Truro
- Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park, Padstow
- The Sanctuary Cornwall, Golant
EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR (ACTIVE OR LEARNING)
- Bare Feet Coasteer, Newquay
- Paddle Cornwall SUP, Fowey
- Paradise Park – Red Panda Experience, Hayle
GLAMPING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
- Ekopod, Launceston
- Wych Elm Glamping, Coverack
HOLIDAY PARK OF THE YEAR
- Landal Gwel an Mor Resort, Portreath
- Martha’s Orchard, Constantine Bay
INTERNATIONAL TOURISM AWARD
- Cornwall Plus, Falmouth
- Travel England Tours Ltd
LARGE HOTEL OF THE YEAR
- Budock Vean Hotel, Mawnan Smith
- Carlyon Bay Hotel, St Austell
- Fowey Hall Hotel, Fowey
LARGE VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR
- Camel Creek Adventure Park, Wadebridge
- National Maritime Museum Cornwall, Falmouth
- Paradise Park and JungleBarn Indoor Play Centre, Hayle
- Tintagel Castle (English Heritage), Tintagel
NEW TOURISM BUSINESS AWARD
- Cove24 Restaurant and Bar, Newquay
- Scilly Spirit Distillery, Isles of Scilly
- Via Ferrata Cornwall, Penryn
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO CORNISH TOURISM
To be announced on Awards day
PUB OF THE YEAR
- The Boathouse, Falmouth,
- The Gurnard’s Head, Zennor
- The Pandora Inn, Mylor
RESTAURANT & CASUAL DINING OF THE YEAR
- Bango Kitchen, Penryn
- Cove24 Restaurant and Bar, Newquay,
- The Idle Rocks Restaurant, St Mawes
SELF CATERING ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR
- Cosawes Barton, Truro
- My Cottages in St Ives, St Ives
- Sara’s Cottage, Truro
SMALL HOTEL OF THE YEAR
- Mullion Cove Hotel & Spa, Mullion
- The Idle Rocks, St Mawes
- The PIG at Harlyn Bay, Padstow
SMALL VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR
- Feadon Wildlife Centre, Portreath
- Shipwreck Treasure Museum, Charlestown
SPA & WELLBEING EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR
- Landal Gwel an Mor Resort, Portreath
- Mullion Cove Spa, Mullion
- St Michaels Resort, Falmouth
TOURING CAMPING AND CARAVANNING PARK OF THE YEAR
- Mena Farm: Touring, Camping, Glamping, Bodmin
- Polmanter Touring Park, St Ives
- Treloy Touring Park, Newquay
TOURISM EVENT/FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR
- Falmouth Oyster Festival 2019
- Wavelength Media’s Drive in Cinema Series 2020
TOURISM INNOVATION AWARD
- St Moritz Hotel, Polzeath
- Treseren, Newquay
UNSUNG HERO AWARD
- Gary Zammit, Feadon Wildlife Centre, Portreath
- Kim Spencer, Wringworthy Cottages, Looe
- Patrick Trembath, PK Porthcurno
- Robert Hawkins, Martha’s Orchard, Constantine Bay
- Sally Pickles, The Bowgie Inn, Newquay
VISITOR INFORMATION SERVICE OF THE YEAR
- Bodmin Information Centre
- Fal River Visitor Information Centre
- Visit Newquay Tourist Information Centre
WEDDING VENUE OF THE YEAR
- Landal Gwel an Mor Resort, Portreath
- Treseren, Newquay
WILDLIFE FRIENDLY TOURISM BUSINESS AWARD
- Ekopod, Launceston
- Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park, Padstow
- The Cornish Seal Sanctuary, Gweek
