Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo in Kilgetty has been named as the Best Day Out in Wales 2015 at the National Tourism Awards for Wales. It was also a successful night for other West Wales businesses with Clydey Cottages in Boncath being named as the Best Place to Stay in the self-catering category and The Grove in Narberth taking Gold for Tourism Skills Development.
Coast in Saundersfoot picked up a silver award for Best Place to Eat Large Restaurant and the Griffin Inn in Dale also won a silver for Best Place to Eat Pub. The Long Course Weekend, a three day festival of sport in Tenby, picked up bronze for Best Large Event in Wales.
Chris Ebsworth, director of Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo, said: “We are delighted to have won the Best Day Out in Wales award for the third time. There is no better measure of our success than receiving this recognition from our industry peers. We are proud of the small part we play in the wonderful tourism offering that is Wales and we proudly accept this award on behalf of our loyal visitors and dedicated staff.”
The Tourism Skills Development category was sponsored by Cambrian Training, Best Day Out was sponsored by Edwards Coaches, Best Day Place to Stay was sponsored by Cardiff Metropolitan University and Best Place to Eat was sponsored by Food & Drink Wales. Visit Wales sponsored the Best Event category.
The awards, which are run by Visit Wales in commercial partnership with Quadrant Media & Communications, recognise the best in Welsh tourism and includes categories such as Best Place to Stay, Best Place to Eat, Best Day Out, Best Event, Best Visitor Welcome, Tourism Skills Development, Best Business Tourism and the new Rising Star category, which recognises those who are up and coming in the industry. The awards were held at The Vale Resort in Hensol on Wednesday 25 March.
Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates, said: “The National Tourism Awards are the Oscars of the tourism industry and pay tribute to those who are committed and passionate about their businesses, tourism and Wales. The quality of what we have to offer here in Wales goes from strength to strength and the Awards are an opportunity for us all to celebrate the industry and to showcase the outstanding quality of our vibrant tourism sector. I’d like to congratulate the winners and wish you the very best for a successful season ahead.”
The full list of winners for the National Tourism Awards for Wales 2015 can be viewed at http://www.ntawales.com/english/categories/
Winners by category
Best Business Tourism, sponsored by Quadrant Media & Communications
Gold – Celtic Manor Resort (South East)
Silver – Venue Cymru (North)
Bronze – Cardiff International White Water (South East)
Best Event (Large), sponsored by Visit Wales
Gold – Wales Rally GB (North)
Silver – Abergavenny Food Festival (South East)
Bronze – The Long Course Weekend (South West)
Best Events (Small), sponsored by Visit Wales
Gold – Dinefwr Literature Festival (South West)
Silver – Welshpool Airshow & Transport Festival (Mid)
Bronze – Isle of Fire (South East)
Best Visitor Welcome, sponsored by Vale of Glamorgan Council
Gold – Monmouthshire Cottages (South East)
Silver – Penceunant Isaf Tea House (North)
Bronze – Cantref Adventure Farm (Mid)
Best Day Out, sponsored by Edwards Coaches
Gold – Folly Farm Adventure Park & Zoo (South West)
Silver – Cardiff International White Water (South East)
Bronze –Zip World (North)
Commended – Corris Craft Centre (Mid)
Best Place to Eat (Large Restaurant), sponsored by Food & Drink Wales
Gold – Sosban (South West)
Silver – Coast (South West)
Bronze – Dylan’s (North)
Best Place to Eat (Small Restaurant), sponsored by Food & Drink Wales
Gold – Ynyshir Hall (Mid)
Silver – Y Polyn (South West)
Bronze – The White Hart Village Inn (South East)
Best Place to Eat (Café), sponsored by Food & Drink Wales
Gold – The Bakers’ Table CIC (Mid)
Silver – Raspberry Tea Room (South East)
Bronze – Wright’s Food Emporium (South West)
Best Place to Eat (Pub) sponsored by Food & Drink Wales
Gold – The Bee Inn (North)
Silver – Griffin Inn Dale (South West)
Bronze – Black Boy Inn (North)
Best Place to Stay (Hotel), sponsored by Cardiff Metropolitan University
Gold – Ynyshir Hall (Mid)
Silver – Celtic Manor Resort (South East)
Bronze – Llangoed Hall (Mid)
Best Place to Stay (Self Catering) sponsored by Cardiff Metropolitan University
Gold – Clydey Cottages (South West)
Silver – Rivercatcher (North)
Bronze – Plas Dinam Country House (Mid)
Best Place to Stay (Guest Accommodation) sponsored by Cardiff Metropolitan University
Gold – Glangwili Mansion (South West)
Silver – Llanerch Vineyard (South East)
Bronze – Black Boy Inn (North)
Best Place to Stay (Hostels, Bunkhouses & Alternative Accommodation) sponsored by Cardiff Metropolitan University
Gold – Wye Valley Canoes (Mid)
Silver – Plas Curig (North)
Bronze – Scamperholidays (South West)
Best Place to Stay (Holiday, Touring & Camping Park) sponsored by Cardiff Metropolitan University
Gold – Pen Y Garth (Mid)
Silver – Tree Tops Caravan Park (North)
Bronze – Trecco Bay Holiday Park (South)
Rising Tourism Star, sponsored by Destination Conwy
Gold – Sean Taylor (North)
Silver – Tim Rees (South West)
Bronze – Ryan Thomas (Mid)
Tourism Skills Development, sponsored by Cambrian Training
Gold – The Grove (South West)
Silver – Celtic Manor Resort (South East)
Bronze – Gwesty’r Emlyn Hotel (South West)
