Winners of the 2021/22 Devon Tourism Awards enjoyed an extra celebration at Quince Honey Farm on 11 May with two special prizes announced.

The event was a welcome opportunity for tourism winners, leaders and sponsors to meet face-to-face and receive their Dartington Crystal trophies, whilst enjoying bee and honey experiences, food, drink and conversation.

There was a special Business Leader award presented to Andy and Julian from the 25 Boutique B&B, with awards organiser Robin Barker saying: “The judging panel wanted to recognise them not just for excelling, but for acting as exemplars in guiding others to excellence.”

The other special award was the Winner of Winners, presented to The Bear Town, who had already won two Gold awards for New Tourism Business and Small Visitor Attraction, as well as a Bronze for Accessible and Inclusive Tourism.

The party was also able to celebrate the three Devon businesses who have been announced as finalists in the national VisitEngland awards: Brightham House Boutique Bed and Breakfast, The 25 Boutique B&B and Pitt Farm Holiday Cottages. They will have to wait until the national awards ceremony on 8th June at the Library of Birmingham to find out if they win Gold, Silver or Bronze.

Deborah Heather from Headline Sponsors Quality in Tourism commented: “I was delighted to have been able to attend the Devon Tourism party last night, networking and catching up with industry friends and colleagues and finally having the chance to visit award winning Quince Honey Farm. The evening culminating in the presenting of two extra awards to very well deserving businesses: Tourism Leadership to Andy and Julian at The25, and Winner of Winners to the team at Bear Town, hugely well-deserved by both, congratulations.”

Karen Jewell from event hosts The Quince Honey Farm, itself an award-winner, added: “We were so proud to host the Devon Tourism Awards party. It has been an honour to welcome fellow leisure and tourism businesses through our doors to celebrate together, and to showcase our attraction and Nectary Restaurant. Congratulations to all the winners and we hope everyone enjoyed their evening.”

The 2022/23 Devon Tourism Awards are now open for entry with a deadline of 19 June.

For a full list of finalists visit www.devontourismawards.org.uk.