Which Categories?
Here is a short description of the awards categories for 2011. 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.
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.
Hotel of the Year
For Hotels, Town House Hotels, Country House Hotels and Metro Hotels with a current quality assessment from a recognised independent body.
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.
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.
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.
Visitor Attraction of the Year
Visitor attractions 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.
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.
Sustainable Tourism Award
For businesses that can demonstrate achievements in making their business sustainable, through a combination of environmental, community and communications initiatives.
Food & Drink Devon 'Taste of Devon' Award
This award is open to sectors of the tourism industry that serve excellent food, using local produce with Devon dishes as part of their business. It is primarily aimed at pubs, restaurants and cafés that form part of Devon’s visitor economy.
Entrants must be committed to sourcing produce from a range of Devon producers and communicating this to visitors, as well as making positive steps to contribute to their local economy, in line with the qualifying criteria for Food & Drink Devon – see www.lovetheflavour.co.uk/Qualifying%20Criteria.html
Entrants must be accredited to or comply with the minimum standards of the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS), as set out in the GTBS Code of Practice at www.green-business.co.uk/GreenBusiness_Criteria_Introduction.asp
Devon-based Gold Award winners from the ‘Dining Pub of the Year’, ‘Restaurant of the Year’ & ‘Café/Tea Room of the Year’ categories of the 2011 Taste of the West Awards will automatically be entered for this award. To avoid duplication, entrants into these awards do not need to complete a further entry form.
Entrants into other categories of the Devon Tourism Awards may also be considered if they are found to offer exceptional quality in food and drink provision (this could apply to B&Bs, Hotels, Attractions, etc).
Food & Drink Devon ‘Producer of the Year’ Award
This award is open to producers of food and drink based in Devon.
This includes producers of: Fish, seafood, meat & game; fruits & vegetables; bread, cakes and biscuits; wines, beers & beverages; dairy products & eggs; preserves, sauces, oils, soups & snacks; confectionery and prepared meals.
It is an award for a producer rather than individual product. Entrants should therefore consider the eligibility of their complete range of products, whether that range includes just one product or many.
Qualifying criteria are those outlined in the requirements for membership of Food & Drink Devon, found under the ‘Product Types’ heading of the Qualifying Criteria section at www.lovetheflavour.co.uk/Qualifying%20Criteria.html
Categories not run in Devon Tourism Awards
The following categories are NOT included in the Devon Tourism Awards and you should enter direct into the South West Tourism Excellence Awards - see www.southwesttourismawards.org.uk
- Outstanding Customer Service Award
- Tourism Event of the Year (Festivals and Events)
- Access for All Tourism Award
- Tourism Information Service
