MEDIA RELEASE
5th November 2010
Cornwall Named Top UK Holiday Destination in British Travel Awards for Second Consecutive Year
Cornwall has once again fought off competition from across the country to be crowned ‘Best UK Holiday County or Region’ in the British Travel Awards(on Thursday 4th November) for the second year running.
The county attracted the lion’s share of the public vote outshining neighbour, Devon, which along with Cumbria in the Lake District, was announced as a runner-up. This marked an impressive double award win for Cornwall as St Ives was also named ‘Best UK Seaside Town’. On top of this the Eden Project also scooped silver for ‘Best UK Day Out Experience’.
Over 220,000 people voted in this years British Travel Awards which boast overseventy categories and span every type of holiday experience, making them the largest awards programme in the UK. They are widely referred to as the “Oscars” of the travel industry and are the most recognisable and sought-after accolades in the sector.
Malcom Bell, Head of Tourism at VisitCornwall, the Cornwall Development Company tourism service for the county, collected the Awards on behalf of Cornwall and St Ives at the glittering ceremony which was held at Battersea Evolution in Battersea Park, South West London: “I am immensely proud to accept these Awards for Cornwall and St Ives. To win at both county and town level is a huge achievement and the fact that the Awards are based on public opinion make them even more significant.
“This is the third time in five years that Cornwall has come out on top in the British Travel Awards which proves that the county is leading the way and offering the quality holiday experience that visitors demand. The Awards give real creditability to the promotion of Cornwall and St Ives as visitor destinations and there is significant leverage to be enjoyed from the publicity that a national award such as this brings.”
Carolyn Rule, Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration and Tourism Portfolio Holder, adds: “These Awards are testament to the commitment and hard work of the tourism sector in Cornwall and St Ives and are wholly deserved. The industry is becoming increasing competitive, especially under the current economic pressures, and these awards will play a significant role in reassuring both previous and potential visitors of the quality status of Cornwall.“
The announcement of these Awards completes an award-winning year for Cornwall and St Ives; as well as these awards, Cornwall has been named the country’s most scenic county and St Ives was declared Best Family Holiday Destination in the prestigious Coast Awards 2010 as well a favourite seaside town in a Which? Holiday Survey.
For further information about the British Travel Awards and a full list of winners visit
ENDS
Notes to Editors
VisitCornwall
VisitCornwall is a service of the Cornwall Development Company, a local authority company controlled by Cornwall Council.
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.
British Travel Awards
The British Travel Awards is the largest awards programme in the UK created to reward the leading destinations and best companies in travel. Recognised by consumers and travel professionals throughout the UK, The British Travel Awards are widely referred to as the “Oscars” of the travel industry and are easily the most recognisable of all travel industry accolades amongst consumer and industry professionals alike. With categories spanning 100 types of holiday experience - transport, destination, cruise, customer service, holiday extras, and accommodation - The British Travel Awards is quite simply the benchmark for excellence when it comes to finding out who really is the best in the business. The 2010 British Travel Awards took place at a Gala Dinner on 4 November at Battersea Evolution in Battersea park, London SW11 4NJ.
Record of British Travel Award wins
- Cornwall - Best UK Holiday County or Region 2010
Runner up:Devon and Cumbria, Lake District
- St Ives – Best UK Seaside Town 2010
Runner up:Brighton and Whitby
- Cornwall – Best UK Holiday Destination 2009
- Cornwall – Best UK Holiday Destination 2006
Images
Accompanying this press release is the official British Travel Awards Best UK Holiday County or Region 2010 logo. Images of Malcolm Bell collecting the award will be available upon request as soon as possible after the 4th November 2009. General images from the awards gala can be downloaded from
Further Information
Julia HughesJane Richards
VisitCornwallBritish Travel Awards
01872 32292807711 101493