The quality of tourism businesses throughout Pembrokeshire are to be recognised and celebrated again following the launch of the 2018 Pembrokeshire Tourism Awards.

Throughout the year, tourism providers have rolled out the welcome mat to thousands of tourists who chose Pembrokeshire as their holiday destination. This included a high volume of overseas visitor who took advantage of the low pound to experience for themselves what the county has to offer.

Pembrokeshire Tourism’s chair, Jane Rees-Baynes, said: “We are delighted to announce the launch of the much-anticipated tourism awards. The team and directors of Pembrokeshire Tourism appreciate the economic importance that tourism has on the county and it is only right that we should ensure that those tourism businesses who work hard to provide an unrivalled visitor experience are recognised and rewarded. The awards ceremony on April 21 promises to be another glittering occasion.”

The main sponsor of the awards will be Milford Waterfront. The Port of Milford Haven’s regeneration of Milford Marina and Docks is an exciting new development for Pembrokeshire and will add to the existing mix of leisure, retail and dining businesses. The new development will celebrate arts, culture and heritage, with the aim of boosting the local economy by providing opportunities for long-term, sustainable jobs.

One former award-winner, Soo Whittle from Top of The Woods Camping near Boncath, said: “Winning the 2016 sustainability award has brought great recognition with our guests and has kept us motivated to keep the journey to best practise going and stand by our business values.”  

Jayne Hancock from Fields Lodge B&B in Herbrandston said she had been “fortunate enough to win several Pembrokeshire Tourism Awards,” the most prestigious being crowned as winner of the ‘Finest Pembrokeshire Breakfast category on three occasions.

She added: “Winning these awards is tangible recognition of all the efforts that go into making a great visitor experience. The competition itself makes all entrants raise their game even higher, which means it is a win-win for businesses and visitors alike, highlighting the very best that Pembrokeshire has to offer.”

Dennis O’Connor, tourism liaison manager, praised the work of the various sectors that make up the tourism industry and said: “The 2016 awards showed that many businesses are continually looking at new ways to improve their business and are meeting the increasing expectations of the visitor so it’s important that we recognise the effort that is being put in by holding these awards.”

Tourism is worth around £585m to the local economy and Pembrokeshire Tourism works with businesses to maintain growth potential through training, support services and representation on a local and regional level.

Nominations for the 15 awards categories opened on October 2 and will remain open until midnight on January 29. Submissions can be entered via the awards website https://www.pembrokeshiretourismawards.net