All that glitters is Cornish tourism

THE cream of Cornish tourism was celebrating last night at the industry's glittering Oscar-style ceremony in Newquay.

Almost 300 people attended the Cornwall Tourism Awards at the Headland Hotel where the big winners of the night were St Michael's Hotel and Spa in Falmouth which scooped three of the awards.

The hotel was recently given four-star status and continued its success by picking up the Winner of Winners title as well as Large Hotel of the Year and Tourism Website of the Year.

Special recognition was given to John Hick who was presented the award for Outstanding Services to Tourism. He played a leading role in bringing Tall Ships events to Falmouth and has also worked on a voluntary basis to raise the quality standards of the holiday parks industry.

The team from St Michael's Hotel & Spa in Falmouth collecting the Winner of Winners award at the Cornwall Tourism Awards 2009 - the hotel won three awards in total. picture by Toby Wellar.

Special guest for the evening was Kirstie Allsop from Channel Four's Location, Location, Location who congratulated all the winners.

Teresa Timms from Visit Cornwall said: "The tourism industry has certainly been tested this year and we can credit Cornwall's ability to overcome market challenges and hold its own to the quality of the tourism product that the county offers. This is testament to the hard work of the Cornish tourism industry and the awards are a fantastic way to congratulate local businesses and to recognise their commitment to excellence."

Winners:

All winners pictured by Toby Wellar

Large attraction of the year –

Gold: The Eden project

Silver: Trebah Gardens

Bronze: Blue Reef Aquarium, Newquay

Small visitor attraction of the year –

Gold: Penlee House Gallery & Museum, Penzance

Silver: Pendennis Castle, Falmouth

Bronze: Courtroom Experience, Bodmin

Large hotel of the year –

Gold: St Michael's Hotel & Spa, Falmouth

Silver: Budock Vean Hotel, nr Falmouth

Bronze: Carlyon Bay Hotel, St Austell

Small hotel of the year –

Gold: Boskerris Hotel, Carbis Bay

Silver: The Fowey Hotel, Fowey

Bronze: The Old Quay House Hotel, Fowey

Restaurant of the year –

Gold: The Cove, nr Falmouth

Silver: Barclay House, Looe

Bronze: Chantek, Truro

Holiday/caravan/camping park of the year –

Gold: Trethem Mill Touring Park, St Just-in-Roseland

Silver: Dolbeare Park, nr Saltash

Bronze: Mother Ivey's Bay, nr Padstow

Cafe of the year –

Gold: Miss Peapod's Kitchen Cafe, Penryn

Silver: Gylly Beach Cafe, Falmouth

Bronze: Swanpool Beach Cafe, Falmouth

Pub of the year –

Gold: Victoria Inn, Perranuthnoe

Silver: The Rashleigh Arms, Charlestown

Bronze: The Golden Lion Inn, Stithians

Tourist information centre of the year –

Gold: Bodmin Visitor Centre

Silver: Bude Tourist Information Centre

Bronze: Looe Tourist Information Centre

Self-catering establishment of the year –

Gold: Boscrowan Farm, Heamoor

Gold: Gwel an Mor, Portreath

Silver: Treworgey Cottages, Duloe

Bronze: Helsbury Park, Camelford

B&B/Guest accommodation of the year –

Gold: Woodlands Country House, nr Padstow

Silver: Coswarth House, Padstow

Bronze: Primrose Cottage, Launceston

Tourism website of the year –

Gold: St Michael's Hotel & Spa, Falmouth

Silver: Roundhouse Barn Holidays, St Just-in-Roseland

Bronze: Bedruthan Steps Hotel and Spa, Mawgan Porth

Leisure experience of the year –

Gold: Cornwall Classic Car Hire, Bodmin

Silver: Global Boarders, Marazion

Bronze: Newquay Zoo

Sustainable Tourism award –

Gold: Rosehill Lodges, Porthtowan

Silver: Bedruthan Steps Hotel & Spa

Bronze: Helsbury Park, Camelford

Outstanding customer service award –

Gary Zammit of Gwel an Mor, Portreath

Winner of winners – St Michael's Hotel & Spa

Outstanding service to tourism – John Hick

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