Record number of entries for Tourism Excellence Awards

South West Tourism has received a record 200 entries in this year’s South West Tourism Excellence Awards in association with First Great Western and South West Water, as the final shortlist is announced for 2007/2008, with Sustainable Tourism being the single most popular category.

The awards, known as the region’s ‘Tourism Oscars’ aim to reward and promote quality within the tourism industry.

Judging and mystery visits will take place over the coming months and the awards will be presented at a prestigious ‘Oscars night’ on 29 October 2007 at the Palace Hotel, Torquay. The regional award winners will then be put forward for the national ‘Enjoy England Awards for Excellence’ in 2008.

Entrants to the awards needed to demonstrate an exceptionally high quality of customer care and continual improvement of facilities. Sustainability was an important criterion, with applicants having to prove a commitment to recycling and care of the environment. Accessibility for disabled customers was another priority, along with the use of local food and drink produce.

Julian Crow, First Great Western’s General Manager for the West of England, said:

"We are proud supporters of the South West Tourism Excellence Awards as they unearth some of the best quality products that we have in the region, in addition to encouraging businesses to strive for excellence. We wish all of the shortlisted entrants the best of luck for the final judging process.”

Chris Loughlin, Chief Executive of South West Water, said:

“Great hospitality is the not so secret reason the South West is Britain's number one holiday region. Those shortlisted this year are the best of the best and it's particularly pleasing that so many are also making their businesses environmentally friendly and waterwise this year. Good luck to them all."

Robin Barker, Deputy Chief Executive of South West Tourism, said:

“We have seen a record of over 200 entries this year, including many excellent examples of superlative quality and investment and I would like to congratulate all of those who have been shortlisted for this year’s Excellence Awards.

Once again we have found that tourism businesses are becoming even more ambitious in terms of raising their quality, investing in new facilities and staff training, with many benefiting as a result through increased profitability. One particular feature this year has been the focus on ‘added value’, with operators of all sizes adding to their core product to offer the visitor a more complete experience.

The shortlisted entrants have done exceptionally well to get this far as the competition is tough in each category and I wish them all the best of luck for the final judging process.”

For further information, visit Swtourism.co.uk.

South West Tourism is a partnership of private enterprise and both local and central government. We work to encourage the promotion and development of tourism in Bath, Bristol, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds and Wiltshire.

The Enjoy England Awards for Excellence celebrate the best of English tourism and are known throughout the industry as the ‘Oscars’ of tourism. They promote healthy industry competition and high standards, helping to ensure England's place as a world-class destination.