Devon's leading tourism businesses have been chosen for the finals of the Devon Tourism Awards which will be presented at a prestigious ceremony on November 29
This year sees an increase to 18 categories in the competition which is now in its fifth year following its launch in 2010 in association with Visit Devon.
The year also saw an increase by 27% to 130 entries from the Devon tourism industry, with 48 businesses selected as finalists.
The winners will be announced at Awards Ceremony at the brand-new 'Palazzo' at Highbullen Hotel, Golf & Country Club near South Molton, where the event will be hosted by Judi Spiers.
Successful businesses in the Devon Awards will then be fast tracked into the South West Tourism Excellence Awards in February 2015 and then possibly invited to represent Devon in to the National VisitEngland Awards later in 2015.
The Chairman of the Awards Panel, David Fursdon, said: "When you look at the very high standard of the entries to this year's Devon Tourism awards you not only develop huge respect for the calibre, imagination and ability of those running and working in Devon's Tourism Industry but you are also thankful that they are working so hard and successfully to bring visitors to this wonderful County."
Visit Devon Deputy Chairman, Victoria Hatfield, said: "After the year we've had it is more crucial than ever that we celebrate and promote the best that Devon has to offer visitors. The Devon Tourism Awards play a key role in rewarding the vision, talent and hard work of the local tourism industry. 2014 has been a year beset by many challenges and I'm delighted these awards give us the opportunity to commend the way the industry has risen to them."
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DEVON TOURISM AWARDS FINALISTS & COMMENDED 2014
In Association with Headline
Sponsors e-Strategy
(In alphabetic order)
ACCESS & INCLUSIVITY AWARD
Sponsored by Purple Cloud Consultancy
FINALISTS• Countryside Mobility South West, Exeter• Stover Country Park & Local Nature Reserve, Newton Abbot• Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Honiton
B&B AND GUEST ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Nicholson's
FINALISTS• Cary Arms, Babbacombe• The Elmdene, Torquay• The Minadab Cottage, Teignmouth••
CAMPING & CARAVANNING HOLIDAY PARK OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Stephens Scown solicitors
FINALISTS• Devon's Crealy Meadows, Clyst St Mary• Hele Valley Holiday Park, Ilfracombe• River Dart Country Park, Newton Abbot
COMMENDED• Appledore Park, Okehampton••
DOG FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Doggy Devon
FINALISTS• Highbullen Hotel Golf and Country Club, Umberleigh• Whitehill Country Park, Paignton
HOLIDAY VILLAGE & RESORT OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Hoseasons
FINALISTS• Beverly Holidays, Paignton• Cofton Country Holidays, Dawlish• Devon Cliffs Holiday Park, Exmouth
LARGE HOTEL OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Hotel Perfect
FINALISTS• Highbullen Hotel Golf and Country Club, Umberleigh• Lincombe Hall Hotel, Torquay• The Magdalen Chapter, Exeter••
LARGE VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR
FINALISTS• National Trust - Coleton Fishacre, Kingswear• South Devon Railway, Buckfastleigh• The Big Sheep, Bideford• World Of Country Life, Exmouth••
OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD
Sponsored by Source for Business• Will be announced on the night•
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO TOURISM• Will be announced on the night•
SELF CATERING HOLIDAY PROVIDER OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Pavey Group
FINALISTS• Devon Retreat, Seaton• Millbrook Cottages, High Bickington• North Hayne Farm Cottages, South Molton
SMALL HOTEL OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Clockwork Hospitality
FINALISTS• Royal Castle Hotel, Dartmouth• South Sands Hotel, Salcombe• The Horn of Plenty, Gulsworthy• Watersmeet Hotel, Woolacombe
COMMENDED• Buckland Tout-Saints Hotel, Kingsbridge• Langdon Court Hotel & Restaurant, Plymouth• Northcote Manor Country House Hotel, Umberleigh••
SMALL VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Onshore Communications
FINALISTS• Plymouth Gin, Plymouth• Stuart Line Cruises, Exmouth
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD
Sponsored by Westcountry Fruit Sales
FINALISTS• Devon Cliffs Holiday Park, Exmouth• Pennywell Farm , Buckfastleigh• Wheatland Farm Eco Lodges, Winkleigh
COMMENDED• Devon Retreat, Seaton• National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth
TASTE OF DEVON AWARD
Sponsored by Posh Nosh
FINALISTS• Highbullen Hotel Golf and Country Club, Umberleigh• Northcote Manor Country House Hotel, Umberleigh• The Horn of Plenty, Gulsworthy
COMMENDED• Moorland Garden Hotel, Yelverton• The Riverford Field Kitchen, Buckfastleigh
TOURISM ACTIVITY, SPORT & EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Brewer and Bunney
FINALISTS• Go Ape Haldon, Haldon Forest Park• Le Vignoble, Plymouth• Reach Outdoors , Paignton• Rock and Rapid Adventures, South Molton
TOURISM EVENT OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Exeter International Airport
FINALISTS• Exeter Festival of South West Food & Drink, Exeter• Plymouth Pirate Weekend, Plymouth• The Contemporary Craft Festival, Bovey Tracy
TOURISM PUB OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Accounting & General
FINALISTS• The Five Bells, Clyst Hydon• The Millbrook Inn, Kingsbridge• The NoBody Inn , Doddiscombsleigh• The Swan, Bampton
TOURIST INFORMATION SERVICE OF THE YEAR
FINALISTS• English Riviera Tourism Company, Torquay• National Park Visitor Centres – Princetown, Postbridge and Haytor, Bovey Tracey• Tiverton Tourist Information Service, Tiverton••
VENUE & BUSINESS TOURISM AWARD
Sponsored by EaseBuild
FINALISTS• Deer Park Country House Hotel, Weston• National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth• The Horn of Plenty, Gulsworthy
WINNER OF WINNERS
Sponsored by First Great Western• Will be announced on the night
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