The quality of tourism businesses across the county are set to be acknowledged again later this year following the launch of the 2016 Pembrokeshire Tourism Awards.

Tourism providers are currently reaping the rewards of increased visitor numbers from people keen to avoid the uncertainty of European travel this summer and with the low value of the pound holiday destinations such as Pembrokeshire are also experiencing higher overseas visitor numbers.

Pembrokeshire Tourism’s chair, Jane Rees-Baynes, said: “We are delighted to announce the tourism awards. The team and directors of Pembrokeshire Tourism appreciate the importance of recognising and rewarding those tourism businesses that work hard to provide an unrivalled visitor experience and it promises to be a glittering occasion.”

The main sponsor of the awards will be the Milford Waterfront Development. The Port of Milford Haven’s regeneration of Milford Marina and Docks is an exciting new development for Pembrokeshire and adds 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, 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 two 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 that “many businesses are continually looking at new ways to improve their offering and meet the increasing expectations of the visitor so it’s important that we recognise the effort that is being put in.”

Tourism is worth around £525m to the local economy and Pembrokeshire Tourism works with businesses to maintain growth potential through training, support and representation on a local, regional and national level.

Nominations for the 15 awards categories are open until midnight on September 2 and submissions can be entered via the awards website https://www.pembrokeshiretourismawards.net.