Which Categories?
Here is a short description of the awards categories for 2011/12. Most awards have entry criteria, so please read carefully to make sure that you fulfil the criteria. And remember, there may be more than one category you are eligible to enter.
Outstanding Customer Service Award
For an individual or team within a tourism business that has stood out in delivering outstanding customer service. (Also run in Cornwall Tourism Awards).
Tourism Event of the Year (Festivals and Events)
For a successful festival or special event that can demonstrate it has grown in visitor numbers, provides an outstanding experience to visitors and contributes to the local community.
Best Tourism Activity, Sport and Experience
For tourism businesses such as activity or sport providers that don’t fit into any other category and which can demonstrate that they have gone the extra mile to deliver an outstanding and innovative customer experience. (Also run in Cornwall and Devon Tourism Awards).
Large Hotel of the Year
For Hotels, Town House Hotels, Country House Hotels and Metro Hotels with over 35 bedrooms and a current quality assessment from a recognised independent body. (If you have between 35 and 50 bedrooms you can choose between the Large and Small Hotel categories, depending on which description you feel best matches your establishment). (Also run in Cornwall Tourism Awards and as a combined ‘Hotel’ category in Devon Tourism Awards).
Small Hotel of the Year (under 50 bedrooms)
For Hotels, Town House Hotels, Country House Hotels and Metro Hotels with under 50 bedrooms and a current quality assessment from a recognised independent body. (If you have between 35 and 50 bedrooms you can choose between the Large and Small Hotel categories, depending on which description you feel best matches your establishment). (Also run in Cornwall Tourism Awards and as a combined ‘Hotel’ category in Devon Tourism Awards).
Bed and Breakfast, Guest Accommodation & Inn of the Year
For Guest Accommodation, including B&Bs, farmhouses, inns, restaurants with rooms and guesthouses offering a high standard of accommodation. Properties must have a current quality assessment from a recognised independent body. (Also run in Cornwall and Devon Tourism Awards).
Self Catering and Serviced Apartments
For self-catering accommodation (including cruise boats) and serviced apartments that offer an excellent standard. Properties must have a current quality assessment from a recognised independent body. (Also run in Devon Tourism Awards and as two separate categories in Cornwall Tourism Awards).
Holiday Park and Village of the Year
For caravan holiday parks, holiday and touring parks, camping and touring parks and holiday villages that have boosted business by making the most of their distinctive appeal. Properties must have a current quality assessment from a recognised independent body. (Also run in Cornwall and Devon Tourism Awards).
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
Visitor attractions with over 50,000 visitors that go that extra mile to ensure their visitors have a really enjoyable experience. The category covers a wide range of attractions including those that offer pre-booked tickets, house museums, garden shops, interpretation centres, theme parks, historic houses and castles. Venues that are open only on specific days for special events are not eligible for entry. Attractions must be signed up to the Code of Practice for visitor attractions or be part of the VAQAS, CATA or DATA standard. (Also run in Cornwall Tourism Awards and as a combined ‘’Attraction’ category in Devon Tourism Awards).
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
Visitor attractions with fewer than 50,000 visitors that go that extra mile to ensure their visitors have a really enjoyable experience. The category covers a wide range of attractions as listed above in the Large Visitor Attraction Category. Venues that are open only on specific days for special events are not eligible for entry. Attractions must be signed up to the Code of Practice for visitor attractions or be part of the VAQAS, CATA or DATA standard. (Also run in Cornwall Tourism Awards and as a combined ‘’Attraction’ category in Devon Tourism Awards).
Business Tourism Award
For quality tourism businesses that are aimed at the corporate sector, for example event and exhibition venues, convention hotels, conference and banqueting venues. (Also run in Devon Tourism Awards).
Sustainable Tourism Award
For businesses that can demonstrate achievements in making their business sustainable, through a combination of environmental, community and communications initiatives. (Also run in Cornwall and Devon Tourism Awards).
Access for All Tourism Award
For tourism businesses including attractions, leisure facilities, restaurants, transport and accommodation that go the extra mile to ensure their facilities are accessible to all.
Tourism Information Service of the Year
This category is open to Tourist Information Centres as well as other providers of face-to-face or electronic information to visitors whilst away from home. (Also run in Cornwall Tourism Awards).
Taste of the South West
This award is open to all sectors of the tourism industry that serve excellent food, using local produce with regional dishes as part of their business. For example, pubs, restaurants, cafes as well as attractions with exceptional food and drink outlets. Entrants must appeal to tourism visitors and must be committed to sourcing produce from local producers and communicating this to visitors, as well as making positive steps to contribute to their local economy.
Given the strength of the food & drink sector in the region and our desire to avoid asking businesses to enter numerous different Award schemes, entrants into the 2011 Taste of the West Awards need not enter, as the winners from the relevant categories of this scheme will be automatically ‘fast-tracked’ into the short-listing phase of the judging. See www.tasteofthewest.co.uk for details of the Taste of the West awards.
The shortlist for the ‘Taste of the South West’ category will take account of direct entries as well as winners in the appropriate categories of the Taste of the West, Devon, Cornwall and Bristol Tourism Awards. Entrants into other categories of the South West Tourism Excellence Awards may also be considered if they are found to offer exceptional quality (this could apply to B&Bs, Hotels, Attractions etc).
