In January of 2002, Cornwall Enterprise, the parent company of VisitCornwall, thought it time to create an award that acknowledged the quality and importance of the tourism industry in Cornwall.
A Tourism Awards scheme was devised which involved 12 tourism sectors, over 2,000 establishments, 10 assessors and 4 judges. Public nominations were collated online, over 250 submissions were appraised, 600 mystery phone calls and visits were made.
Following this, recommendations were made by the markers to a panel of judges who made the final 70 selections; winners, runners up and those highly commended.
This took place from June to October 2002 and culminated in a superb Gala dinner held at the Headland Hotel, Newquay in November, where sponsors, guests and unknowing winners attended. After a superb 6 course dinner using only Cornish produce, celebrity presenter Phillip Schofield announced the 14 winners to a surprised and ecstatic audience.
And the 2002 Winners were...
Visitor Attraction of the Year
Sponsored by the Eden Project
Trebah Garden, Mawnan Smith, nr Falmouth
Popular Restaurant/Cafe of the Year
Sponsored by Dobles Quality Foods
Old Coastguard Hotel (bar)
Tourist Information Centre of the Year
Sponsored by Cornwall Association of Tourist Attractions
Bodmin
Hotel of the Year
Sponsored by Chaffins Country Range Food Service
Budock Vean Hotel, Mawnan Smith, near Falmouth
Restaurant of the Year
Sponsored by Newquay Fruit Sales
The Thyme and Plaice (Langmans Restaurant)
Guest House/B&B of the Year
Sponsored by Cornish Linen Service
Trerosewill Farm
Holiday/Caravan/Camping Park of the Year
Sponsored by Abbotts of Cornwall
Hendra Holiday Park, Newquay and Trethem Mill, St Just in Roseland
Self-Catering Establishment of the Year
Sponsored by Expo West Exhibitions
Tredethick Farm Cottages
Pub of the Year
Sponsored by Scott Burridge Chick
Old Coastguard Hotel (bar)
Tourism Marketing Initiative of the Year
Sponsored by Winter Rule
Ocean Aqua Cab
Winner of Winners
Sponsored by the Cornish Coffee Company
Trebah Garden Trust, Mawnan Smith, nr Falmouth
Outstanding Services to Tourism
Sponsored by Stephens & Scown
Rick Stein and Tim Smit (Eden Project)
