BUSINESS across North Wales have been awarded for their role in keeping the North Wales economy afloat during the pandemic.

There were 15 winners receiving accolades at the Go North Wales Tourism Awards 2021, a glittering event at Venue Cymru in Llandudno, this year hosted by journalist Sian Lloyd.

Before the pandemic, the tourism industry was flying with the overall income generated increasing to an all-time high of £3.6 billion in 2019 when the number of visitors rocketed to nearly 37 million.

After a massive slump, the staycation boom this summer showed that North Wales was still a hugely popular destination for holidaymakers.

The occasion was also a 30th anniversary celebration for organiser North Wales Tourism which was founded in 1990 and now represents more than 1,500 members across the region.

Chair of the judges Jim Jones, chief executive of North Wales Tourism, said the amount of investment going into improving the infrastructure of the tourism and hospitality sector was a vote of confidence in the future of the industry in North Wales.

Mr Jones said: “Like everybody else, the tourism industry has endured an absolute nightmare over the past 20 months and, because of the nature of the business, our sector was disproportionately affected during the lockdown periods.

“I would like to congratulate the winners and the other finalists tonight because was they have achieved is utterly remarkable, particularly under the most difficult of circumstances.

“I would also like to stress that all the nominees are playing an absolutely vital role in leading the economic recovery here in North Wales and I would like to thank them for their incredible ongoing contribution.”

North Wales Tourism used the occasion to raise money for their nominated charity, St David’s Hospice in Llandudno.

Winners:

  • Go Best B&B/Inn of the Year sponsored by Colliers Hotels - Plas Tan-Yr-Allt Historic Country House – Porthmadog, Gwynedd.
  • Go Self Catering of the Year sponsored by Pario Leisure Group - Lyons Pendyffryn Hall, Penmaenmawr, Conwy.
  • Go Caravan, Camping or Glamping of the Year sponsored by Harlech Food Service - Graig Wen Arthog, Dolgellau, Gwynedd
  • Go Holiday Park of the year sponsored by Thornley Leisure Parks - Marine Holiday Park, Rhyl.
  • Go Pet Friendly Award sponsored by Pero Foods Ltd - Y Shed, Meliden, Prestatyn
  • Go Responsible and Sustainable Green Award sponsored by Adventure Parc Snowdonia - GreenWood Family Park, Y Felinheli
  • Go Business Events and Incentive Travel Award sponsored by Heart North Wales - Venue Cymru, Llandudno
  • Go Attraction of the Year sponsored by Development Bank of Wales - Penderyn Distillery, Lloyd St, Llandudno
  • Go Activity of the Year sponsored by Design 2 Print - Mynydd Sleddog Adventures, Bwlch Hafod Einion near Llyn Brenig and Alwen Reservoir,
  • Go Taste of North Wales Award sponsored by Bwydlyn Butchery - Three Eagles Bar & Grill, Llangollen
  • Go Resilience and Innovation Award sponsored by North Wales Live - St David’s Hospice, Llandudno
  • Go Tourism & Hospitality Hero sponsored by Aber Falls Distillery - Glenn Evans, from Ruthin – Royal Oak Hotel, Betws y Coed
  • Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award sponsored by Grwp Llandrillo Menai - Michael Bewick – JW Greaves Lts, Managing Director, Llechwedd, Bl Ffestiniog, Gwynedd
  • Go Hotel of the Year sponsored by Castell Howell Foods Ltd - Plas Dinas Country House
  • Go 30 years of the Tourism Industry sponsored by Tir Prince Leisure Group - Dr Shyam Patiar MBE, Llandrillo College