Eden reigns supreme at tourism awards
The Cornish attraction picked up the Winner of Winners award as the cream of the region's tourism businesses were recognised at the South West Tourism Excellence Awards.
Held at the Saunton Sands Hotel in North Devon, they recognised the achievements of a number of businesses and individuals in the tourism industry across the region.
The awards allow businesses to showcase their quality to customers and, according to organisers, help build morale among staff and gain recognition in the community.
Entrants must demonstrate outstanding levels of customer service and exemplary facilities, along with a commitment to sustainability and recycling.
Alistair Handyside, chairman of South West Tourism, congratulated the winners.
"Winning at the regional awards is a great achievement for any business, especially so in these economic times," he said.
"These businesses have shown customer care, staff training and continued investment have not faltered but have grown and they are committed to exceeding visitor expectations."
Categories included awards for large hotel of the year and self-catering holiday of the year and are split into a selection of winners and a smaller number of finalists.
Among the winners were Totnes Rare Breeds Farm and Escot, in Ottery St Mary, which both won silver awards in the Small Visitor Attraction of the Year category.
Woodlands Country House, at Treator, near Padstow, North Cornwall, won a gold award in the Bed and Breakfast of the Year category.
The Salty Monk in Sidford, near Sidmouth, East Devon, and Coswarth House, in Padstow, both scooped silver.
The Thurlestone Hotel near Salcombe in South Devon won gold in the Large Hotel of the Year category, while St Michael's Hotel & Spa in Falmouth won silver.
The Globe Hotel in Topsham, Exeter, won silver in the Sustainable Tourism category.
The 15 Gold Award winners at this years awards will all now go on to represent the region at the National Enjoy England Awards for Excellence in 2010.
The Eden Project's Winner of Winners award recognised the "inspirational role" the venue has played in the tourism industry, as well as its superlative visitor experience, said organisers.
Eddie Bent, managing director of E-Strategy, said: "We have a great variety of winners this year and received a very high standard of entries all round which made the judging process even harder.
"I would like to congratulate the winners and finalists who are the exemplars in their field and deserve this regional recognition."
- Don't misss today's edition of the Western Morning News for your 12-page supplement on the South West Tourism Excellence Awards
