MEDIA RELEASE
20th September 2010
Ben Fogle Announced as Guest Speaker at the Cornwall Tourism Awards
Having trekked, climbed, rowed and skied his way across the world, Ben Fogle is set to swap the unforgiving conditions of the Antarctic and Sahara Desert for Cornwall’s warmth of welcome as the guest speaker at this year’s Cornwall Tourism Awards.
Best known for conquering epic adventures and presenting BBC’s Animal Park, Countryfile and Crufts, Ben Fogle will delight the crème de la crème of the county’s tourist industry by recounting tales of his travels and sharing his love for Cornwall at the glittering Awards ceremony. Taking place on Thursday 7th October at the St Mellion International Hotel and Country Club, the ceremony is the culmination of the rigorous Cornwall Tourism Awards process and celebrates the companies and individuals that deliver excellence in the tourism sector to surpass visitor expectations.
In anticipation of the forthcoming event, Ben enthuses: “I have been incredibly lucky to have visited so much of the world, and different places appeal for different reasons, but I’ve always had a soft spot for Cornwall. It makes a fantastic place to recharge between expeditions and is perfect for holidaying with my trusted four-legged companion. I’ve always been impressed by the quality and friendliness of Cornwall, it has successfully achieved that balance between traditional and new, and I’m looking forward to meeting and celebrating with those that help to make it what it is on the night.”
A total of 119 applications across 15 categories have been received for the 2010 awards which are presented by VisitCornwall and are now in their 9th year. Having been assessed, mystery shopped and critiqued by a panel of industry experts the finalists are now eagerly awaiting the Awards ceremony when the gold, silver and bronze winners will be revealed. A further two special awards will also be presented on the night.
Malcolm Bell, Head of VisitCornwall comments: “We are thrilled to welcome Ben Fogle to the Cornwall Tourism Awards, he is very well travelled so certainly knows what does and doesn’t work. I’m sure that he will join me in my praise for the businesses in contention for the awards and add to the nights congratulations. The quality of the entries has been outstanding and I am looking forward to having the chance to congratulate everyone first hand.”
Cornwall’s gold, silver and bronze winners will go on to represent the county in the South West Regional and ultimately the National Excellence Awards.
The Cornwall Tourism Awards 2010 are generously sponsored by a number of eminent business in the county including Cornwall Catering Excellence, Newquay Fruit Sales, Exhibitions South West Ltd, Hotel Perfect, Rodda’s, Nixon, Brewer & Bunney Ltd, Scott Burridge Commercial, RH Advertising, Eden Project, CATA, Newquay for Excellence Training, cornishfoodmarket.co.uk, Carrier Direct Marketing, Jarrang Ltd and Blue Chip Vacations.
For more information regarding the Cornwall Tourism Awards please visit www.cornwalltourismawards.com.
ENDS
Notes to Editor
VisitCornwall undertakes the destination marketing function for Cornwall and promotes the areas distinctive qualities to the domestic market and key international markets through targeted marketing campaigns each year, focusing on the Spring, Autumn and Winter.
VisitCornwall is a service of the Cornwall Development Company, a local authority company controlled by Cornwall Council.
Ben Fogle biography
Ben Fogle is a Presenter, Writer and Adventurer. His achievements include racing 160 miles across the Sahara desert in the notorious Marathon des Sables. He has rowed the Atlantic Ocean in 49 days and crossed Antarctica in a foot race to the South Pole. He has presented numerous programmes including BBC’s Animal Park, Wild In Africa, Countryfile, Crufts, One Man and His Dog and Extreme Dreams. He writes regularly for the Sunday Telegraph and the Independent and has written four bestselling books. He is an ambassador for WWF, Medecins Sans Frontier and Tusk, a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and the President of the Campaign for National Parks.
Image
The attached image shows Ben Fogle, guest speaker at the Cornwall Tourism Awards 2010.
Further Information
For further information please contact:
Teresa Timms
01872 322907