Tourism Champions Revealed

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A pioneering surf vacation company rode the wave of success last night (Thursday 16th October) as it took top honours in the Cornwall Tourism Awards 2008. 

West Cornwall-based Global Boarders emotionally accepted the coveted “Winner of Winners” title sponsored by Christie & Co, having earlier in the evening scooped gold in the Leisure Experience of the Year category as well as the silver Sustainable Tourism Award.    The company’s strong social and environmental conscience and quality ethos won the judges over setting it apart from the competition.

Global Boarders’ feat was made all the more impressive by the high standard of the rival entries, as Teresa Timms of Award organisers VisitCornwall, explains:  “Now in their seventh year, the Cornwall Tourism Awards are well established and draw high numbers of entries.  Each year they get more difficult to judge and the standard gets better and better.  The high level of the competition is testament to the fantastic work of businesses in the Cornish tourism industry.  All the finalists should be proud of themselves!”

Joining Global Boarders at the Headland Hotel for the glittering Awards ceremony were almost 300 people, ensuring a packed house and nail biting evening.  Hoteliers, publicans and restaurateurs rubbed shoulders with Tourism Officers and associations from around the county and congratulated the great and the good of the industry.

Adding to the celebrations was Ruby Wax, who entertained guests with tales of her visits to the county.

The newly introduced Outstanding Customer Service award, sponsored by Newquay for Excellence, was presented to Wendy Redford-James who goes above and beyond the call of duty on a daily basis in her role at Mother Ivey’s Bay Caravan Park.

Wendy’s Manager, Patrick Langmaid, counts her as an extremely valued member of the team:  “Wendy’s contribution to the smooth running of Mother Ivey’s is enormous: she truly is one of the unsung heroes of tourism in Cornwall.  Her little gestures turn a holiday into something special for a lot of our guests and this is reflected in the comments and letters we receive.  For Wendy, looking after people is what she does; she never feels that her work ends with her shift.”

Special recognition also went to Major Tony Hibbert for his Outstanding Service to Tourism.  He has worked tirelessly for the industry and through founding and developing Trebah Garden has been influential in building Cornwall’s year-round tourism industry.

For further information please visit www.cornwalltourismawards.com.

ENDS

THE WINNERS IN FULL…

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year    sponsored by Newquay Cornwall Airport
Gold: National Maritime Museum Cornwall, Falmouth
Silver: Trevarno Gardens, Nr Helston
Bronze: Newquay Zoo, Newquay

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year     sponsored by RH Advertising
Gold: Camel Valley Vineyard, Bodmin
Silver: Carnglaze Caverns, Liskeard
Bronze: Pine Lodge Gardens, St Austell

Large Hotel of the Year     sponsored by Cornwall Catering Excellence
Gold: Bedruthan Steps Hotel, Mawgan Porth
Silver: The Carlyon Bay Hotel, St Austell
Bronze: Budock Vean Hotel, Nr Falmouth

Small Hotel of the Year     sponsored by Coodes
Gold: The Old Quay House, Fowey
Silver: The Fowey Hotel, Fowey
Bronze: Hotel Penzance, Penzance

Restaurant of the Year    sponsored by Newquay Fruit Sales
Gold: The Bay Restaurant, Penzance
Silver: The Cove, Maenporth Beach, Nr Falmouth
Bronze: The Flying Fish, Falmouth

Holiday/ Caravan/ Camping Park of the Year    sponsored by St Austell Brewery
Gold: Polmanter Touring Park, St Ives
Silver: Wooda Farm Park, Bude
Bronze: Trevornick Holiday Park, Holywell Bay

Café of the Year     sponsored by Rodda’s
Gold: Planters Café, Trebah Garden, Nr Falmouth
Silver: The Lost Gardens of Heligan Tearoom, Nr St Austell
Bronze: Gylly Beach Café, Gyllyngvase Beach, Falmouth

Pub of the Year    sponsored by Scott Burridge Commercial
Gold: Victoria Inn, Perranuthnoe
Silver: The Gurnard’s Head, Nr St Ives
Bronze: Norway Inn, Perranarworthal

Tourism Information Centre of the Year    sponsored by CATA
Gold: Bude Tourist Information Centre
Silver: Bodmin Visitor Information Centre
Bronze: Looe Tourist Information Centre

Self-Catering Establishment of the Year    sponsored by Exhibitions Southwest
Gold: Helsbury Park, Nr Camelford
Silver: Boscrowan Farm, Heamoor
Bronze: Glynn Barton Cottages, Bodmin

B&B / Guest Accommodation of the Year    sponsored by Jobline Staffing
Gold: Anchorage House, Boscundle
Silver: Woodlands Country House, Padstow
Bronze: Kings Acre, Camelford

Tourism Website of the Year    sponsored by New Mind
Gold: www.classic.co.uk – Classic Cottages, Helston
Silver: www.bedruthan.com – Bedruthan Steps Hotel, Mawgan Porth
Bronze: www.stmichaelshotel.co.uk – St Michael’s Hotel, Falmouth

Leisure Experience of the Year    sponsored by Brewer & Bunney
Gold: Global Boarders, Marazion
Silver: Cornwall Classic Car Hire, Bodmin
Bronze: Fistral Spa, Newquay

Sustainable Tourism Award    sponsored by CoaST & NCDC
Gold: Bedruthan Steps Hotel, Mawgan Porth
Silver: Global Boarders, Marazion
Bronze: Boscastle Gold Group, Boscastle

Outstanding Customer Service Award    sponsored by Newquay for Excellence
Wendy Redford-James

Winner of Winners    sponsored by Christie & Co
Global Boarders, Marazion

Outstanding Service to Tourism    awarded by Cornwall Enterprise
Major Tony Hibbert

Notes for Editors
The Cornwall Tourism Awards 2008 are organised and presented by VisitCornwall.

VisitCornwall is a department of Cornwall Enterprise, the economic development service for Cornwall County Council.

VisitCornwall undertakes the destination marketing function for Cornwall and promotes the areas distinctive qualities to the domestic market and key international markets through targeted marketing campaigns each year, focusing on the Spring, Autumn and Winter months.

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