LEADING tourism businesses from across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, including a number in the Post area, were celebrating in Truro Cathedral on November 7 at the Cornwall Tourism Awards.

After an intensive seven months of judging this year’s Cornwall Tourism Award winners were announced. The event, now in its 18th year, saw 77 awards presented across 27 different categories, with a new one this year for Tourism Business Leadership.

As part of the night’s entertainment Johnny Cowling, who with support from presenter Daphne Skinnard, surprised everyone by breaking into song and gaining huge audience participation in several popular songs.

It was the second time the awards had been held in Truro Cathedral, with more than 320 guests enjoying Cornish food and drink underneath a dazzling light show.

The 27 award categories covered everything from glamping, B&Bs and wedding venues to cottages, spas and holiday parks.

Local winners included: Bude Canoe Experience picked up gold in the Learning Experience of the Year and a silver for the Active and Sporting Experience Award; Bronze for B&B and Guesthouse of the Year went to Surf Haven B&B, Bude; Gold in the Café/Tearoom of the Year section was awarded to Boscastle Farmshop and Café; Bronze for Dog Friendly Business of the Year went to Gwelmor Holiday Home, Bude, who were also commended in the Self Catering Accommodation of the Year section; Ekopod, in Launceston, received silver for the New Tourism Business Award and was commended in the Glamping Business and Alternative Accommodation of the Year category; The Falcon Hotel, Bude, received bronze in the Large Hotel of the Year category; Luxury Lodges Burn Coastal Retreat, Bude, received the bronze award for Self Catering Accommodation of the Year; The Stargazy Inn, Port Isaac, received gold for Small Hotel of the Year; Silver for the Touring Camping and Caravanning Park of the Year went to Willow Valley Holiday Park, Bude.

Awards organiser Robin Barker congratulated all winners for their courage in taking part, and also thanked the industry for its generosity towards the ‘Cornwall Hugs Grenfell’ appeal and for its fund raising for the new Cornwall Air Ambulance.

Speaking after the event Deborah Heather from Headline Sponsors Quality in Tourism, said: “As always, Cornwall surpasses itself with the quality on offer, some amazing winners worthy of national if not international recognition, Cornwall is once again leading the way, well done to all.”

Head of Visit Cornwall, Malcolm Bell, commented: “The awards shine the spotlight of excellence on some of our best and leading tourism operators in Cornwall. It is this excellence that makes Cornwall one of, if not the leading, UK holiday regions. It celebrates not only the businesses but also the team work from staff, managers and owners as only team work can deliver excellence.”

Successful businesses in the Cornwall Awards will be fast tracked into matching categories in the South West Tourism Excellence Awards in February 2020, to be held in Exeter Cathedral, with the prospect of being nominated for the national VisitEngland awards later in the year.

For a full list of finalists visit www.cornwalltourismawards.org.uk