After what has been one of the longest award seasons ever, businesses from across Cornwall and the South West have been named in this year’s regional tourism awards.

75 finalists and 33 Commended businesses have emerged from the 416 entries to the South West Tourism Awards, including Budock Vean Hotel, near Helford Passage.

Fresh from winning silver in the Large Hotel of the Year category at the recent Cornwall Tourism Awards, the Budock Vean Hotel was delighted to find out it had made it to the finals in the South West Tourism Awards – also for Large Hotel of the Year.

The owner of Budock Vean, and recipient of Outstanding Contribution to Tourism at the Cornwall awards, Martin Barlow, said: "It is a very nice surprise to find out we are one of the three finalists at the South West Awards.

"I has given us all a real boost as we prepare to start opening up again."

"We don’t achieve things on our own in this business and so this is for the whole team at BV.

"They are a fantastic, dedicated team, many of whom have been at BV as long as I have, some longer.

Read Next:

"Thank you to Robin Barker and his team at Services For Tourism for their determination in organising these awards, despite the challenging circumstances, and giving us all the opportunity to showcase the rich variety and quality of the South West’s hospitality businesses.

"Congratulations to all the winners and finalists.

"Good luck to everyone for the coming season."

The awards, which are sponsored by South West Water, will be presented online on April 22, with a prior ‘Meet The Finalist’ event on April 13, when finalists and sponsors get the chance to share in their news and plans.

Read Next:

Jo Ecroyd, Customer Service Director of headline sponsors South West Water, said: "We’re delighted to be headline sponsors of this year’s South West Tourism Awards.

"As a top FTSE business in the South West, we see it as our responsibility to promote and contribute to the regional economy, in which tourism plays such an important role.

"It has certainly been a challenging year for businesses, and we applaud all our finalists for their perseverance in the face of the challenges from the pandemic over the past year.

"The economy and well-being of our region is reliant on the environment we live in.

"That’s why we’re keen to continue our work with the tourism sector to enhance and protect our natural environment and to ensure that the South West is a sustainable and beautiful place to live and visit for many years to come.”

Read Next:

Robin Barker, director of Services for Tourism Ltd, who manage the Awards, added: "We so nearly cancelled this year’s awards but are so glad we continued.

"The reaction from businesses, the stories they’ve told, and the innovation and inspiration we’ve witnessed amongst hundreds of small businesses has been humbling.

"We’re so pleased to be able to play our part in supporting such a deserving and important sector."

For more information about the awards and the finalists, visit the South West Tourism Awards website: southwesttourismawards.org.uk/winners