The quality of tourism businesses across the county are set to be recognise later this year following the launch of the inaugural Croeso Awards hosted by Visit Pembrokeshire and the shortlist of finalists has been announced.

“Visit Pembrokeshire appreciates the importance of recognising and rewarding tourism businesses who work hard to provide an unrivalled visitor experience and, following unprecedented disruption to everyone’s lives caused by Covid, we feel the time is now right to host our inaugural Croeso Awards,” said Visit Pembrokeshire’s chair Jane Rees-Baynes.

“These awards will give us an opportunity to celebrate our tourism champions and our awards evening promises to be a glittering occasion for everyone to enjoy.”

Visit Pembrokeshire is the official Destination Management Organisation (DMO) for the county. It’s a trade led public/private sector partnership and the first of its kind in Wales. It has an ambitious plan to grow tourism sustainably over the next five years in a way that will benefit communities throughout Pembrokeshire.

Tom Bell, vice president business development at cottages.com the Croeso Awards main sponsor said: “We are very proud to be supporting the inaugural Croeso Awards and are looking forward to playing our part in celebrating the efforts and achievements of tourism businesses across the region. The time, energy, and money our property owners invest in their holiday homes is what keeps people coming back to Pembrokeshire year after year and it’s that dedication to the local community that deserves proper recognition.”

The shortlist has been determined by a panel of independent judges, all experts from within the industry who spent two weeks scoring each of the entries. This proved to be quite a task due to the high standard of entries across all sectors and led to scores being very close in several categories.

The awards dinner, which will be hosted by guest presenter, Jason Mohammad will be held at Crug Glas, St. David’s on October 20. It will be an occasion for finalists and sponsors to enjoy a night of recognition and celebration as Pembrokeshire’s tourism industry champions.

The Shortlist includes:

Self-catering Accommodation Provider of the Year: Clydey Cottages; Newgale Holidays; West Wales Luxury Cottages.

Visitor Attraction of the Year: Carew Castle and Tidal Mill; Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo; Mansion of Mystery.

Taste of Pembrokeshire: Coast, Saundersfoot; Nags Head, Abercych; Stackpole Inn.

Regenerative Tourism: Bluestone Brewing Co; Castell Henllys; Really Wild Emporium.

Caravan Park of the Year: Trees Caravan Park; Tregroes Caravan, Camping and Glamping Park; Folly Farm Holiday Park.

Open to All – Inclusive Tourism Award: Celtic Quest Coasteering; Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority; Torch Theatre.

Hotel of the Year: Grove, Narberth; Twr y Felin; Ty Milford Waterfront.

Young Tourism Person of the Year: Ollie Ryder – Ty Milford Waterfront; Samuel Williams – Stay Pembrokeshire.

Activity/Experience Provider of the Year category: Celtic Quest Coasteering; Llys y Fran Lake; Voyages of Discovery.

B&B/Guesthouse of the Year: Roch Castle; Ty Melin.

Tourism Innovation Award: St Davids Old Farmhouse Brewery; Velfrey Vineyard; West Wales Luxury Cottages.

Campsite/Glamping Provider of the Year Award: Celtic Camping; Tregroes Caravan, Camping and Glamping Park; Celtic Escapes.

For more information about the Croeso Awards please visit https://www.visitpembrokeshire.com/croeso-awards/