Family Takes Spotlight In Tourism Oscars
Staff and the family owners of a Newton Abbot holiday park are celebrating their success in reaching the finals of the region’s top tourism competition.
The Dewhirst family of Dornafield Farm Caravan Park learned this week that their business is a finalist in the Holiday Park of the Year section of the South West Tourism Excellence Awards.
Widely recognised as the “Oscars of the tourism industry, the competition celebrates the West Country’s leading providers of visitor services and accommodation.
Now the family must wait until November 23 to find out if they have taken the overall title and will go on to represent the South West in the Holiday Park category of VisitEnglands National Enjoy England Awards for Excellence 2010.
Dornafield is one of just three finalists, and will be joining those shortlisted in other categories such as the Eden Project and Paignton Zoo at the glittering awards night at the Saunton Sands Hotel.
Other park finalists are Woodovis Park near Tavistock, and Trethem Mill in St Just in Roseland.
Thirty-acre Dornafield with its 135 pitches has been run by the Dewhirst family for more than thirty years, and is today owned by Peter Dewhist and his sons Alistair and Simon.
Over the years, the park has gained many accolades for its quality and concern for the environment.
A message of support for the park in the competition was sent this week by Teignbridge MP Richard Younger-Ross who visited the park during British Tourism Week.
Dornafield is an excellent park and a worthy ambassador for tourism in Devon,” said the MP.
The Dewhirsts pay constant attention to detail, and their continued investment over the years is evident everywhere. I wish them every success in the South West finals – and hope they go on to fly the flag for Devon in the national event,” added Mr Younger-Ross.
Dornafield director Peter Dewhirst said that the family was thrilled to have reached the South West competition finals, and paid tribute to the park’s “wonderful staff” for their contribution.
“Everyone here strives to go that extra mile to provide our visitors with a truly memorable Devon holiday, and it is heartening to achieve recognition for the hard work over many years, he said.