03.12.03
Cornish farms rewarded for tourism excellence

We've always known it, but now it's official - Cornish farms are among the leading lights of the Cornish tourism industry. Last week's prestigious 2003 Cornwall Tourism Awards saw farm enterprises winning two of the top awards, with many more listed as runners up or highly commended.

The awards scheme was introduced last year by the Cornish Tourist Board in a bid to recognise excellence and reward quality and customer service in Cornish tourist businesses of all sizes. This year, the winners were selected from more than 200 entries in 15 different categories.

The award winning farm enterprises are members of Objective One project Cartwheel, the South West's leading farm and rural holiday company, with the two big winners being Trevornick Holiday Park at Crantock near Newquay, which won the Holiday/Caravan Park of the Year category, and Shires Family Adventure Park near Wadebridge, which won the Visitor Attraction of the Year category. They collected their awards from radio and TV host Noel Edmonds at Cornwall's own 'tourism Oscars' in Falmouth last week.

According to Gina Woodcraft, Chief Executive of Cartwheel, the awards reflect the growing demand among visitors for holidays, breaks and days out that offer a genuine countryside experience.

"We're thrilled to see so many Cartwheel members recognised by the Cornwall Tourism Awards,” says Gina Woodcraft. "The decision for farmers to diversify is often a difficult one, but accolades like this show the sector has responded to opportunity and helped create a real demand for rural tourism. We're particularly pleased to have won two of the top three places in the Green Tourism Initiative category, which is new this year, as green tourism and sustainability is integral to Cartwheel's offering. Overall we hope these awards encourage our members' commitment to excellence, and inspire others to do likewise.”

Cartwheel's membership criteria encompasses all aspects of the 'rural experience' including quality of accommodation and surroundings; sourcing and serving local food; sustainable and wildlife friendly land management as well as green tourism practices such as recycling facilities and information on public transport, cycling and walking routes.

Cartwheel members honoured in the 2003 Cornwall Tourism Awards include:

Visitor Attraction of the Year
Winner: Shires Family Adventure Park, Trelow, Wadebridge
Runner up: Dairyland, Summercourt, Newquay

Holiday / Caravan Park of the Year
Winner: Trevornick Holiday Park, Crantock, Newquay

Green Tourism Initiative of the Year (new category)
Runner up: Pollaughan Farm, Portscatho
Highly Commended: Bosinver Farm Cottages, St Mewan

Guesthouse / B&B of the Year
Runner up: Trerosewill Farm, Paradise, Boscastle

Cornish Distinctiveness
Highly commended: Trerosewill Farm, Paradise, Boscastle

For more information about the award winners, or any other Cartwheel members, visit www.cartwheelholidays.co.uk or phone Cartwheel direct on 01392 877842.

For more press information please contact:
Gina Woodcraft or Debbie Bristow at the Cartwheel office
Telephone: 01392 877842
Mobile: 07885 951931

Editor's notes:

Cartwheel is the South West of England's leading farm and rural holiday company, offering visitors the chance to enjoy a unique countryside experience. It is a private sector limited company run by farmers and part funded by the European Union, EAGGF and DEFRA.

All Cartwheel members are independently inspected according to the company's quality criteria which encompasses accommodation, local food, green tourism and sustainable land management

Cartwheel administers the Objective One funded Rural Tourism Marketing Grants scheme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The scheme can award 50% grants to fund projects with a total value of up to £100,000. Projects with a total value of less than £3,000 can be dealt with through the 'fast track' process, providing a response within two weeks. Larger grant applications take between four and six weeks to process.

Jason Clark
Communications Adviser
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Tel: 01872 241379
Fax: 01872 241388
objectiveone@cornwall.gov.uk