TOURISM NEWS

UNFORGETTABLE CELEBRATIONS

Over 300 guests were celebrating last month (November 17) as the winners of the 21st annual Cornwall Tourism Awards were announced in Truro Cathedral.

65 awards were presented in wide ranging categories from accessible and inclusive tourism and dog-friendly business to large hotel and holiday park of the year. Guests were ‘spellbound’ by an aerial performance from the Off The Wall Aerial Dance Circus and enjoyed a wide range of Cornish food and drink.

Four surprise awards were announced with two awards for Outstanding Contribution to Cornish Tourism presented. The first was to Nigel Burnett, director of Trebah Garden, for his 20 plus years developing Trebah and other top attractions into multiple award winning destinations. Guests then gave a standing ovation as a further Outstanding Contribution award was announced for Visit Cornwall’s Malcolm Bell, who was praised by awards organiser Robin Barker for his vision, innovation and courage in over 30 years of tourism leadership.

There was also a special Tourism Leadership award presented to Forever Cornwall, and the evening ended with a further ovation for Hendra Holiday Park,

HEALTHIER HOSPITALITY

Managers, leaders, and owners of hospitality businesses from across Cornwall gathered at The Lost Gardens of Heligan winning Winner of Winners for their multiple success over 50 years of operation.

Most winners will now be considered for the South West Tourism Excellence Awards to be presented at Eden Project in March 2023 and possibly invited to represent Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly in the 2023 national VisitEngland Awards.

Malcolm Bell, chief executive of Visit Cornwall, said: “The 21st Cornwall Tourism Awards celebrated the hard work and investments, not only by the owners, but by the managers and staff of amazing businesses. Over the last two decades the awards have been a driver in creating a step change in the quality of our tourism offer.

“I was surprised and humbled to receive my award for outstanding contribution to tourism.”

Awards organiser Robin Barker of Services for Tourism, a long-time colleague of Malcolm Bell, commented: “After a wait of three years since our last face-to-face awards ceremony it was a delight to celebrate with Cornwall’s leading tourism businesses once again. I was especially honoured to be invited to announce the special award to Malcolm Bell, who has done so much to transform tourism in Cornwall and beyond.”

recently to drive the creation of a healthier hospitality sector with help from Truro and Penwith College’s employer-led project for this key Cornish industry.

The event, ‘Healthy Hospitality’, focused on both operating sustainable business for the planet but also supporting a sustainable workforce, with future skills at the forefront.

ALL ACTION AT AIRPORT

Flybe recently returned to Cornwall Airport Newquay recently, two and a half years after going into administration.

Now under new ownership, the regional airline is operating double daily flights to London Heathrow and daily to Manchester.

Dave Pflieger, Flybe CEO, said: “We believe it is critical to add routes like this to our network to not only support Flybe’s mission of providing customers with better regional connectivity, but also ensure we continue to provide convenience and comfort at a great value.”

Amy Smith, head of commercial at Cornwall Airport Newquay, added: “It’s fantastic to be welcoming the new Flybe to Cornwall Airport Newquay. The daily flights to London Heathrow and Manchester will add much needed extra capacity as well as additional options for passengers on two of our key markets.”

Cornwall Airport Newquay also announced details of a new route, starting next April.

Aer Lingus Regional will fly a four-times weekly service to Belfast City, while it will also increase the frequency of its Dublin service, allowing for improved connections to the carrier’s transatlantic flights from Dublin.

Amy Smith said: “It’s fantastic that Aer Lingus Regional sees the potential of not only increasing the frequency of our Dublin connection, but also adding a new destination to Belfast for our passengers.

“We expect fantastic results from both routes next year due to the enhancement of destination options available to those wishing to fly from Cornwall. The new routes also increase opportunity for overseas markets to reach us with ease, helping us support Cornish tourism.”

Furthermore, Ryanair has announced its biggest ever schedule to fly out of Cornwall Airport Newquay.

Eddie Wilson, CEO of Ryanair DAC, was at the airport recently to unveil the airline’s summer schedule, which in addition to Alicante and Faro, will include three new routes to Dublin, London Stansted and Malaga.