The winners in the 2020/21 Cornwall Tourism Awards have been announced during an emotional and dramatic online awards day – with a number of local businesses claiming top prizes.

The online event, hosted by Daphne Skinnard and Robin Barker on Thursday, February 25, saw 74 awards presented in 27 categories with a final surprise ‘Outstanding Contribution to Tourism’ award being the final announcement.

It was the culmination of an 11-month programme that started in March 2020, with entrants judged on a combination of their entry submissions, digital presence, reviews and external evidence.

This year the awards also recognised five ‘Unsung Heroes’ who had gone above and beyond during 2020, including Kim Spencer, from Wringworthy Cottages in Looe.

Kim, said she was pleased to have been nominated, let alone to have won the award. She said: “I was amazed to have been nominated by SECTA (SE Cornwall Tourism Association) as an unsung hero in the Cornwall Tourism Awards and even more surprised to have been given the award!

“It’s been a really tough year for tourism and it’s fantastic to see the resilience of so many small businesses who have responded to each and every change in the rules with enthusiasm and a willingness to share good practice.

“I love being a volunteer and helping to spread information and knowledge to support fellow business owners.

“I have always preferred being a ‘backroom girl’ getting on with things rather than being at the front.

“I think the last time I won an award for anything was a poetry competition in primary school. It’s extra special to win this during a pandemic and I hope that some of the work that I have been doing has helped some people and their businesses.”

In the local area, The Old Embassy House in Fowey took the gold for ‘B&B and Guesthouse of the Year’, while Ekopod of Launceston received gold for ‘Glamping Business of the Year’ and a bronze in the ‘Wildlife Friendly Tourism Business Awards’.

Paddle Cornwall SUP, based in Golant, picked up a silver award for being ‘Experience of the Year (active or learning)’ and were commended in the ‘New Tourism Business Award’ section.

In Bodmin, Mena Farm: Touring, Camping, Glamping won silver for ‘Camping and Caravanning Park of the Year’, and Bodmin Information Centre also picked up a silver for ‘Visitor Information Service of the Year’.

Silver was awarded to English Heritage’s Tintagel Castle for ‘Large Visitor Attraction of the Year’ and silver in the ‘Dog Friendly Business of the Year’ section went to Kernock Cottages, in Saltash, with Gwelmor Holiday Home, Bude, picking up the bronze.

Fowey Hall Hotel also grabbed a bronze for ‘Large Hotel of the Year’.

Bude Holiday Resort and Trelawne Manor Holiday Park, Looe, were both commended in the ‘Holiday Park of the Year’ category, The Old Inn and Restaurant in St Breward was commended for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Cornish Tourism’, and Pencuke Farm Holiday Cottages and Camping, Bude, was commended as ‘Self Catering Accommodation of the Year’.

The 19th year of the competition has been run in unprecedented times for tourism, but the focus on excellence and feedback for entrants has remained as relevant as ever.

Awards organiser Robin Barker, of Services for Tourism, said: “It would have been very easy to cancel the awards this year – we did think long and hard about it, but the level of early entries we received in spite of everything, and the creativity and determination shown by entrants inspired us to find a way to make this happen – and your responses and feedback ever since have completely blown us away. The reactions from today’s winners, including words such as ‘overwhelmed’, ‘heartwarning’ and ‘moments of sparkle’, have made it all worthwhile.”

Deborah Heather, of headline sponsors Quality in Tourism, said: “I’ve just spent an amazing day with the awe-inspiring tourism industry of Cornwall.

“They go from strength to strength each year. We are so proud at Quality in Tourism to be headline sponsor of the Cornwall Tourism Awards.

“I am humbled by, and optimistic because of, these industry leaders.”

Malcolm Bell, Head of Visit Cornwall, added: “In what has been an extraordinary year for Cornwall, it is refreshing to have something for our excellent tourism businesses to celebrate. Many congratulations to everyone for your ongoing investments in excellence.”

All winners will be considered for the regional South West Tourism Excellence Awards later this year as well as receiving feedback from the judging process. The 2021/22 awards are set to be launched in April. For a full list of finalists see visitcornwalltourismawards.org.uk