Eight West Wales companies have been shortlisted for a prestigious award in this year's National Tourism Awards for Wales. They now have a nail- biting wait until the awards ceremony on October 20 when BBC's Huw Edwards will reveal the winners for 2005.
A panel of independent judges will now interview the following West Wales contenders this month before a final decision is reached:
Coastal Cottages of Pembrokeshire - shortlisted for the Innovation in Marketing category, sponsored by Visit Britain; Helicharter Wales Ltd in Haverfordwest - shortlisted for the New Tourism Entrepreneur award, sponsored by UWIC; Folly Farm - shortlisted for the Top Day Out -Major Event/attraction award, sponsored by Arriva Trains Wales; Trefloyne - shortlisted for the Golf as it should be category, sponsored by HSBC; Saundersfoot Bay Leisure Park - shortlisted for 'Best Place to Stay - Caravan' award, sponsored by WDA (True Taste); Gwyliau Bilidowcar in Broad Haven - shortlisted for 'Best Place to Stay - Self Catering' award, sponsored by WDA (True Taste); Exemplar Project - Trinity College in Carmarthen - shortlisted for the Best Practice to Succeed award, sponsored by the Tourism Training Forum for Wales; Under The Thatch in Llandysul - shortlisted for 'Best Place to Stay Self-Catering' award, sponsored by WDA (True Taste).
The companies were shortlisted for a number of reasons including their innovative marketing techniques, new products introduced to improve service, use of local products and their emphasis on quality and service.
Jonathan Jones, chief executive of the Wales Tourist Board, said: "We were extremely impressed by the number and quality of entries. Shortlisting for each category was a tough process and the judges now have an even more difficult decision to select one winner.
"All the companies who entered the awards can be proud of the fine job they are doing to promote Welsh tourism and without them we wouldn't have a world class product to compete in such a highly competitive market."
The winners will be announced at an 'Oscar Night' awards ceremony on October 20, an occasion which in 2003, wowed guests with its show-stopping entertainment. The evening will be built around the theme of 'Wales on Show', showcasing the stunning locations in Wales which have been used as sets for films ranging from 'Lawrence of Arabia' to the latest movie filmed in Wales, 'Half Light' starring Demi Moore, currently in production.
The awards night will mark the climax of a three day event, where more than 300 buyers from the UK, Europe, North America, the Middle East and Australasia meet to network at an event - Showcase Wales - to be held in Cardiff's City Hall.
Showcase Wales will provide a shop window for the increasingly upmarket and specialised Welsh visitor sector, which is designed to promote the £2.5billion a year industry to international decision makers.