The winners in the 2020/21 Cornwall Tourism Awards have been announced during an emotional and dramatic online Awards Day.

In an innovative awards day hosted over five sessions by Daphne Skinnard and Robin Barker on Thursday 25th February, this year's Winners in the Cornwall Tourism Awards have been announced.

The online event 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.

A surprise award went to Martin Barlow, owner of the Budock Vean Hotel, winning the prestigious Outstanding Contribution Award, whilst Watergate Bay's Ben Harper took the award for Business Leader.

The Cornish Seal Sanctuary showed its further improvements taking gold in both the Wildlife Friendly and Dog Friendly categories with Paradise Park also taking two golds for Large Visitor Attraction and Experience of the Year.

Falmouth Oyster Festival 2019 scooped the gold for tourism event of the year and Visit Newquay Tourist Information the gold for Visitor Information.

Food and drink businesses were also recognised with Teacup Tearoom winning gold for Café/Tearoom of the Year, The Pandora Inn for Pub of the Year (for the 4th year running) and Bango Kitchen the gold for Restaurant and Casual Dining.

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 organizer Robin Barker of Services for Tourism added:

"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 have made it all worthwhile."

All of the winners will be automatically considered for the regional South West Tourism Excellence Awards later in the year as well as receiving feedback from the judging process. The 2021/22 awards are planned to be launched in April.

The winners in the area [.H2]

Dog Friendly Business of the Year - Gold for The Cornish Seal Sanctuary, Gweek.

Glamping Business of the Year - Silver award for Wych Elm Glamping, Coverack.

Large Hotel of the Year - Commended, Polurrian on the Lizard, Mullion.

Small Hotel of the Year - Gold award, Mullion Cove Hotel & Spa.

Spa and Wellbeing Experience of the Year - Bronze, Mullion Cove Spa, Mullion.

Wildlife Friendly Tourism Business Award - Gold, The Cornish Seal Sanctuary, Gweek.

Click here to see the full list of winners.

[H3] Carry on the conversation on our Twitter and Facebook pages. [.B]