Visit Devon backs Kingsbridge hotel competing in England’s Best in Tourism awards

Visit Devon is backing the Thurleston hotel in South Devon in its bid to become England’s best large hotel. The hotel near Kingsbridge is one of just seven tourism businesses in the South West to be nominated for the national finals of the Enjoy England Excellence Awards which are being held in Brighton on 23 April (St George’s Day). The Thurleston Hotel, which hopes to win the best large hotel category, will be among 46 businesses taking part in the competition which have been nominated by tourist boards from across England and have now become finalists following a rigorous selection process carried out by independent assessors. Visit Devon has congratulated the hotel on its achievement on making it to the national finals of this prestigious tourism awards competition. Visit Devon’s General Manager, Rosie Bates, believes that the Thurleston Hotel represents all that is good about the Devon tourism industry: “The Thurleston Hotel is a family run business which has a long history of providing a first-rate service for visitors to Devon in one of the county’s most spectacular locations. It fully deserves its place in the national finals of this competition.” The Thurleston Hotel was founded in 1893 by the Grose family. It has played host to royalty and has won countless tourism awards, as well as being nominated for the South West Excellence Awards five years ago. The four star hotel has spent nearly £4 million on a refurbishments programme during the past five years, including improvements to its bedrooms and a new cocktail bar. The Director of the hotel, Julie Baugh, says that the staff at the hotel are thrilled by the nomination to the national finals and it is the staff who make the hotel a success: “We have the best team of staff imaginable, from managers and housekeepers to receptionists and dishwashers. Some of our staff have been with us for twenty years and they always try to exceed customers’ expectations with energy and enthusiasm. We reward the staff for their performance, and we have loyal customers who enjoy coming back to holiday with us year after year.” For more information about VisitDevon go to www.visitdevon.co.uk For further information please contact: Jane Adkins T/: 01935 813114 M/: 07960 698089 E/: jane@aheadforpr.co.uk Gail Livingstone T/: 01823 252415 M/:07767 055595 E/: gail@aheadforpr.co.uk About Visit Devon Visit Devon is the destination management organisation responsible for promoting Devon to the world. The organisation acts as a voice for tourism in Devon and its aim is simple - to increase the number of visitors to Devon by promoting the county as a year-round destination for business or leisure. The organisation brings together, adds value to and enhances the work and activities undertaken by the six Area Tourism Partnerships across the county. Visit Devon is committed to growing the tourism sector sustainably, increasing the skills within the industry, and raising the quality of the visitor experience. Visit Devon is a public-private partnership limited by guarantee. The not for profit company comprises of nine member organizations including the six Area Tourism Partnerships (Exeter and Essential Devon, Visit Plymouth, North Devon+, The Dartmoor Partnership, The English Riviera Tourist Board, and Visit South Devon) Devon County Council, The Devon Association of Tourist Attractions (Data), and Devon Farms. Visit Devon is the trading name of Destination Devon Ltd.

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