Awards for tourism businesses

Striking gold! Tourism sector scoops awards despite pandemic

As the North Devon tourism industry gears up to reopen later this month following the latest lockdown, local businesses are celebrating after winning major regional awards.

Quince Honey Farm at South Molton scooped Gold in the Tourism Innovation category and Bronze in Visitor Attraction of the Year at the Devon Tourism Awards 2020, held online in March.

Ian Wallace, Quince Honey Farm Partner said, “We’re delighted to have won these two prestigious awards. It not only shows how much we have grown over the past two years following our relocation in 2019, but that we have maintained our high standards and demonstrates our ambitions for the future.”

Ian continues, “There is no denying the last 12 months have been a very challenging time for tourism, so to be recognised for our hard work is a great honour. We look forward to welcoming our visitors back in the not too distant future.”

North Devon picked up another Gold award, with the team at the Exmoor National Park Centre in Lynmouth Pavilion winning Visitor Information Service of the Year. The centre provides inspiration and information to nearly 100,000 people a year.

Raising a glass are Paddy, Ian and Jean Wallace (Partners), and Ruby Mapp (Marketing Manager)

Meanwhile the Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway has been awarded Silver in Devon’s 2020 Visitor Attraction of the Year category, and was also Highly Commended in the Tourism Innovation category. As things stand, tourism businesses can start to reopen from April 12th (see page 17).