Cornwall Tourism Awards celebrate the best on offer in Cornwall, recognising high quality experiences across hotels, visitor attractions and restaurants amongst others, and saw over 60 shortlisted businesses waiting to hear whether they’d been awarded top spot for the coveted awards.
Cornwall Association of Tourist Attractions represent almost 40 of the county’s top visitor attractions, and saw a number of their members shortlisted for awards – including the Gold Award winners in both Small and Large Visitor Attraction of the Year.
The Gold Award for Large Visitor Attraction of the Year went to the iconic Minack Theatre, with the Cornish Seal Sanctuary and The Lost Gardens of Heligan awarded the silver medal and Tintagel Castle taking bronze – and all three visitor attractions are members of Cornwall Association of Tourist Attractions, recognising their contribution to the Cornish visitor economy and their excellent visitor experience.
PK Porthcurno, the innovative and welcoming Museum of Communications, scooped Gold in the Small Visitor Attraction of the Year, with Museum of Cornish Life taking silver and Cornwall FootballGolf in St Austell taking bronze – giving CATA attractions both the Gold and Bronze spot in this category.
Jon Cummins, the Chair of Cornwall Association of Tourist Attractions, said: “We’re delighted to see this recognition for so many of our county’s top visitor attractions. CATA is really proud to represent the best visitor attractions in Cornwall, helping holidaymakers and locals alike to find the best days out for places to make memories together.
“This recognition for so many of our members is a true testimony to the hard work that goes in at all of these attractions to make sure their visitors have a truly wonderful time. Well done to all involved.”
The Minack Theatre and the National Lobster Hatchery received two awards apiece – the Minack team was also awarded the Silver award for Resilience and Innovation, with the bronze award in that category going to fellow CATA members the National Lobster Hatchery. The Lobster Hatchery also received a silver medal in the Wildlife Friendly category.
Malcolm Bell of Visit Cornwall commented: ““After two very challenging years, it is very exciting and also gratifying to see the dedication of the finalists to drive up quality, despite there being a pandemic with all its twists and turns to cope with – a very big well done to all of you.”
Awards organizer Robin Barker of Services for Tourism said: “In another extraordinary year for tourism, with many unexpected challenges, I have been inspired to witness the positivity, creativity and innovation shown by Cornwall’s tourism industry. Many congratulations to you all.”
CATA was also proud to sponsor the Unsung Hero category, which recognises an individual working in any aspect of a tourism business who excels in their role and deserves to be applauded for their work and commitment to the industry.
The winner in this category was Emma Fashokun of Cornish Gems who was nominated for her long standing commitment to sustainability. Working within her role at Cornish Gems she has championed corporate community responsibility and the plastic free movement.
Emma said: “Thank you so much to Cornwall Tourism Awards for this incredible recognition, and to my wonderful colleagues at Cornish Gems, who have supported me throughout.”
The joint silver awards went to Zillah Zaufel and Deborah Vosper of Bodmin Keep, and the joint bronze awards to Sue Paul of Budock Vean, and to Megan Walsingham of the Polurrian on the Lizard.
Jon Cummins of CATA added: “We’re so proud to sponsor this category at the Tourism Awards – our attractions are all about the people who work there, who daily go above and beyond to make sure that people have a wonderful visitor experience, that their colleagues have a smile on their face and that the world is a slightly better place.
“We love the story of Emma and her commitment to sustainability and responsible practices. She’s played an integral part in the journey of Cornish Gems, and we think her work and her commitment are truly wonderful.”
Cornwall Association of Tourist Attractions, a regional industry group set up in 1974 to act as a voice for the Cornish tourist attraction industry, works with almost 40 of the county’s best visitor attractions. Providing support, peer networking, quality assurance and a promotional platform for the attractions, the Association has become an important tool for many of our local businesses.
