TOURISM NEWS

ABI STEEL JON MATTHEWS AND MALCOLM BELL

A SPECIAL TIME

Winners of the 2021/22 Cornwall Tourism Awards enjoyed a special party at Healey’s Cyder Farm recently, with four special prizes announced.

The event was a welcome opportunity for winners to meet face-to-face after February’s awards which were held online, and receive their Jo Downs trophies, alongside food, drink and conversation.

The Tourism Event of the Year award went to Carn to Cove, with Visit Cornwall’s Malcolm Bell saying: “Events and festivals are a huge and growing part of the Cornwall visitor economy – but were virtually impossible to run during the on-off lockdowns and restrictions of 2021. But one organisation persevered – and continued to run a series of important events throughout the year – and for that they receive this special award.”

There was also a special award for Visitor Information to Visit Cornwall’s Abi Steel, and an Outstanding Contribution accolade to Jon Matthews of the Cornwall Covid Task Force.

The final award of the night was the prestigious Winner of Winners Award, which was presented to Mylor Sailing and Powerboat School. The party coincided with another big day for Cornish tourism as VisitEngland announced the finalists for the national VisitEngland Awards, with four Cornish finalists confirmed - Mylor Sailing & Powerboat School, The Idle Rocks, Three Mile Beach and Glynn Barton.

The 2022/23 Cornwall Tourism Awards, meanwhile, are now open for entry. All entries must be supplied online by midnight on June 19.

Awards organiser, Robin Barker, said: “It’s our 21st! Let’s have record entries and make this a year to remember!”

www.cornwalltourismawards.org.uk

TACKLING OVERTOURISM

A holiday company has launched a destination cap to tackle overtourism.

Sawday’s has identified 14 “heavily impacted destinations” in the UK and Europe, from Cornwall to Barcelona. The strategy will involve limiting the number of properties listed by the Sawday’s, Canopy & Stars and Paws & Stay brands.

The company, which represents nearly 2,000 holiday properties in the UK, says it will limit the number of places to stay in destinations impacted by overtourism – with Mousehole, St Ives and St Minver being three of the key areas highlighted.

MD Mike Bevans said: “The constant desire for insatiable growth by some holiday operators, accommodation platforms and large rental companies is unsustainable.

“Communities need viable visitor numbers in areas affected by overtourism - a more targeted approach that has lighter impact and yields higher income is better for everyone. The industry can’t keep gorging itself on the generosity of local infrastructure, communities and the environment without considering the longer-term effects.” The new Aer Lingus Regional service between Dublin and Newquay has got underway. The first flight departed Cornwall Airport Newquay at the end of April, operating four times per week, year-round. The new route also facilitates onward connectivity from Newquay to North America. Passengers flying into the US can avail of US Immigration Pre-clearance at Dublin Airport, skipping any lengthy immigration queues stateside. Airport MD Sam O’Dwyer said: “We’re delighted to welcome Emerald Airlines as our first new airline to Newquay this year and to be operating this very popular route between Ireland and Cornwall. It’s a welcome sight to see Aer Lingus Regional here at Newquay and we look forward to working with Emerald Airlines to develop the partnership further in the coming years.

“This hugely popular route between Dublin and Newquay will undoubtedly be welcomed on both sides of the Celtic Sea.”