Cornwall businesses take home gold in National Tourism Awards

VisitEngland officials have announced the winners of the annual Awards for Excellence, celebrating the best of the country’s tourism industry, with the South West again outperforming all other regions.

Cornwall winners included a double Gold to Mylor Sailing and Powerboat School for Accessible and Inclusive Tourism and Experience of the Year, Gold to Three Mile Beach for New Tourism Business of the Year, Silver to The Idle Rocks for Small Hotel of the Year and a further Silver to Glynn Barton for Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year.

The announcements marked the end of the cycle which started in 2021 when businesses entered their local tourism awards in Dorset, Bristol, Bath and Somerset, Devon and Cornwall.

The national winners were announced at a glittering event at the Library of Birmingham, hosted by Clare Balding. 

Categories ranged from Experience of the Year to Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism, from the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award to the Small and Large Hotel of the Year, the Taste of England Award to the Pub of the Year and the Bed and Breakfast of the Year award.

Nominations for the national awards were put forward following the South West Tourism Excellence awards at Sandy Park, Exeter, in April, following online events for the Dorset, Cornwall, Bristol, Bath and Somerset and Devon tourism awards. Since then the nominees have been through a further round of national judging leading to the announcement of national winners.

Tourism Minister Nigel Huddleston said: "Our superb tourism businesses offer something for everyone and the sector is one we can be proud of. It is fantastic to see so many hardworking businesses of all sizes recognised for their gold-standard contribution to English tourism and I congratulate all the winners."

Robin Barker from South West awards organisers Services for Tourism, commented: “After all we’ve been through over the last two years it was an absolute delight to gather again in person alongside the cream of South West tourism businesses. Huge congratulations to them all – to have excelled in regional awards and then gone on to national success in such difficult times is testament to their innovation, resilience, and commitment.”

Co-Director Nell Barrington added: “Last night showcased all that is brilliant about Tourism in England. I was so delighted and proud to be able to celebrate with the many, many winners from across South West England, my heart felt congratulations to them all.”