The champions of theMidWalestourism and hospitality industry have been revealed.
Staged at the The Hafren, Newtown last night, the MidWalesTourism Awards brought together 42 finalists in 13 categories.
The awards are organised by MWT Cymru with support fromMidWalesTourism Forum, a public and sector partnership and VisitWales, theWelshGovernment’s tourism arm.
Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas, said: “These awards are all about recognising and rewarding excellence and celebrating quality of standards and experiences. These are important attributes for any tourism business and gives our visitors reasons to visit and return toWaleson holiday.
“It gives me great pleasure to congratulate all winners and finalists for their commitment to quality and for their contribution to the visitor economy and in makingWalessuch a world class visitor destination.
"Da iawn bawb - Llongyfarchiadau.”
The winners:
■ Best Activity / Experience Award: Corris Mine Explorers, Corris
■ Best Visitor Attraction Award, sponsored by the RoyalWelshAgricultural Society: Dan-Yr-Ogof National Showcaves Centre forWales, Abercraf
■ Best Event Award: WonderwoolWales, Builth Wells
■ Tourism Innovation Award, sponsored by Cambrian Training: Ty Cwch,Cwmtydu,near Llandysul
■ Best Hotel Award: Trefeddian Hotel, Aberdyfi
■ Best Guest Accommodation Award: Gwesty Cymru, Aberystwyth
■ Best Self Catering/ Self Contained Accommodation Award: MidWalesHoliday Lets, Rhayader
■ Best Place to Eat or Drink: The Nags Head, Garthmyl
■ Best Holiday / Camping / Touring Park Award, sponsored by Salop Leisure: Fforest Fields, Hundred House, near Llandrindod Wells
■ Best Accommodation For Groups Award: The Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells
■ Best Glamping/ Quirky Accommodation: Canvas & Campfires, Lampeter
■ Best Third Sector Award: The Centre for Alternative Technology, near Machynlleth
Winners will nowrepresentMidWalesat theWalesNational Tourism Awards in March 2020.
There was also a Lifetime Achievement Award to Pam Powell from Rhayader, who is approaching her 95birthday, for her considerable contribution to the tourism industry inMidWalesspanning many decades.
At the other end of the scale, a Young Tourism Person of the Year Award,supported by GrŵpColegauNPTCGroup of Colleges, was designed for people starting out in the industry.
The winner from six shortlisted finalists was Amy Clark, manager of The Nags Head, Garthmyl, near Montgomery.The award isdesigned to recognise young entrepreneurial, professional and business talents aged 30 years and under.
Steve Hughson,MidWalesTourism Forum chair, said: “I am delighted with the strength of entries across all categories in tonight’sMidWalesTourism Awards. The quality of whatMidWaleshas to offer is clear and we must seize every opportunity to improve the region’s economy. Tourism will play a major part in that."
