Visit Devon Tourism Awards 2018/19

26th March 2018

2018/19 DEVON TOURISM AWARDS OPEN FOR ENTRY

This year’s Devon Tourism Awards are now open for entry - and businesses are invited to enter.

After a record year in which the region’s tourism awards schemes attracted 647 entries, the 2018/19 awards have been launched and hospitality businesses across Devon are invited to enter.

2018 sees several changes, reflecting the constantly changing nature of tourism. There is a new category for Tourism Innovation and New Business, the former Sustainable Tourism category has been widened to look at additional areas such as employment and use of plastics, and there are many criteria changes, which you can see here. The single biggest change is the earlier launch date, responding to industry requests for the chance to prepare entries at a quieter time of year.

The Awards launch follows just days after the announcement of Devon’s success in the final event of the 2017/18 awards when four Devon entrants were announced as finalists in the national VisitEngland awards:

Bed & Breakfast of the Year - The 25 Boutique B&B the25.uk/
Boutique Guest Accommodation of the Year - Cary Arms & Spa caryarms.co.uk
Dog Friendly Business of the Year - Bulleigh Barton Manor bulleighbartonmanor.co.uk
Self Catering Holiday Provider of the Year - The Milkshed themilkshed-devon.com

A survey of 2017/18 awards entrants has been used to further develop and refine the awards process, with entrants highlighting that their main reason for taking part was to help raise the quality of their businesses and for the free feedback provided. This has led to a programme of ‘Tourism Excellence’ workshops, helping businesses move to yet higher levels and giving them the best chances of awards success. There are four workshops to date, please click on the links below for more details.

30 Apr 2018 - The American Museum, Bath

3 May 2018 - Screech Owl Sanctuary Cornwall

10 May 2018 - The Barn, Westward Living, Devon

16 May 2018 - Larkbeare Grange, near Exeter

Mark Warnes, property and portfolio director at headline sponsors Hoseasons, says “We are very proud to be supporting these awards and looking forward to the nominations coming in. The awards are a brilliant way to recognise the commitment and achievements of businesses across the county and celebrate all they do to drive tourism to the area. It is so important to reward the time, energy and money everyone invests in their offer and we’re pleased to be able to be a part of that for another year.”

Organiser of the awards Robin Barker says: “Feedback from last year’s entrants tells us that the Awards are increasing in their relevance and our suggestions for the future met with an enthusiastic response.”

Entry is free, the programmes being funded by a range of sponsors and partners, and all entrants receive feedback. The deadline for entering the awards is midnight on 22nd May for all categories except Customer Service Superstar and Tourism Events and Festivals which close on 22 August; in a change to previous years we are asking businesses that wish to enter Events and Festivals to register now at awards@services4tourism.co.uk.

If you have any queries about the awards please contact us - awards@services4tourism.co.uk

Many thanks go to our sponsors:

Title Sponsor Hoseasons - www.hoseasons.co.uk

Category Sponsors & Partners

Accord Marketing - www.accordmarketing.com

Accounting & General - www.accountingandgeneral.co.uk

Brittany ferries - www.brittany-ferries.co.uk

Christie & Co - www.christie.com

Clockwork Marketing - www.clock-work.co.uk

Customerwise - www.customerwise.co.uk

Dartington Crystal - www.dartington.co.uk

Forthglade - www.forthglade.com