Kingsbridge Information Centre has been chosen as a finalist at the South West Tourism Awards after being the only South Hams winner of Gold at the Devon Tourism Awards.

Samantha Dennis and her team said they were “thrilled” to have also heard this week that they have been selected to represent the region of Devon in the Visitor Information Provider of the Year category in the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2018. 

“We were all delighted with the feedback from the Devon Tourism Awards which included this comment by the mystery visitor: ‘A small centre that is really buzzing. During my visit I observed a busy, vibrant atmosphere. The staff were constantly being bombarded with all sorts of questions, each one being answered with as much enthusiasm as the previous. Very helpful and knowledgeable staff.’

“We are proud to serve the community of Kingsbridge and the surrounding villages. This year has been a success for us financially and a series of improvements to the centre that started earlier this year will continue in to the new year.

“We will be closed from December 21 until mid-January for refurbishment, including a brand new counter being built for us by the local Men’s Shed group.”

“This is an exciting time for us with the new guide due out in January and a commitment to working with the National Coastal Tourism Academy next year on marketing the Kingsbridge area to German, Dutch and French visitors.

“All of this is only possible with the support of the volunteers, businesses and the local community.”

Judging for the South West Tourism Awards involved judges poring over entries, studying website and review sites, looking at use of social media and 416 business visits, most of them unannounced mystery visits.

Reports and recommendations were then submitted to an independent panel which made the final decisions.

The awards will be presented at a black tie dinner in the Arena at the Riviera International Conference Centre in Torquay on February 1, the culmination of a ten-month programme. They are also the official scheme for the South West, with many finalists also nominated to represent the region in the national VisitEngland awards in April 2018.

Robin Barker, Director of Services for Tourism Ltd, who manage the awards, said: “Excellence is elusive. It requires patience, vision, consistency, commitment, drive, hard work, skill and often a bit of money. ?“That’s not an easy list and I’d like to commend this year’s finalists for once again blowing the socks of the judges. You are a credit to tourism and the region is proud of you.”