Holiday park boss honoured with top accolade at awards ceremony

A prestigious award for Torbay holiday park boss Claire Flower capped a memorable night for local businesses and organisations at the Devon Tourism Awards.
Claire was recognised for her work in the holiday industry with the award for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism. Her Beverley Holidays business at Goodrington also scooped bronze in the Holiday Park of the Year category.
There were also golds for the English Riviera Visitor Information Centre and the Cary Arms Hotel and Spa in the Small Hotels section.
It was a night of celebration for the county's tourism businesses as the winners in the 14th Devon Tourism Awards were announced at the Riviera International Centre in Torquay.
After a disruptive and Covid-hit three years the event returned to its pre-pandemic scale, with a mix of whoops of joy and tears of happiness as 73 Dartington Crystal trophies were presented to businesses from all corners of Devon.
Awards presentations were preceded by a rousing entrée by entertainers from Devon-based Bass Beatz Productions, preceding a passionate call to action and sustainability from Charles Baughan, owner of the multi award-winning and South Devon-based Westaway Sausages.
For Beverley Holidays it was the perfect way to conclude its 65th year with the two awards holding special significance for the family-run business which marked a major milestone in 2023, illuminating the holiday park scene for over six decades.
Director Claire, a dedicated volunteer non-executive director at English Riviera Bid Company and recently voted in as vice-chair of the British Holiday and Home Parks Association,  has been instrumental in shaping the success and growth of both the company and tourism in Torbay.
She said: "We were excited to be named as a finalist in the Devon Tourism Awards 2023/24, but winning The Award for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism is the cherry on top. It's a testament to our commitment to promoting Torbay as a top travel destination. Meanwhile, the Holiday Park Of the Year Bronze Award underscores the strength and resilience of our team, who continue to bring the Beverley magic 65 years on.
“We pride ourselves on being a holiday park that constantly refines the guest experience by investing in our accommodation and facilities year on year. 2024 is set to be no different, with a brand-new collection of lodges and caravans that will elevate luxury seaside holidays to the next level.”
Carolyn Custerson, chief executive of the English Riviera Bid Company, presented Claire with her special award and told the audience how she had started her career as a teacher.
She is now part of a third generation multi award winning business and is an inspirational person who always has a 'very steady hand on Marketing, IT and Finance and ensuring a strong focus on customer service and the need to continually invest, striving to be the best in the field they work. '
Claire's dedication was recently rewarded when she was appointed vice-chair of the BH&HPA an 'incredibly important national role representing an incredibly important sector of our industry following many years as a non-executive voluntary director for the ERBID Company' said Mrs Custerson. She was delighted with how Torbay's businesses had shonde through at the awards and was especially pleased with the success of the Visitor Information Centre.
Mrs Custerson said: “Each year I am astounded that tourism businesses can continue to innovate and reinvent themselves, and this year is no exception, with outstanding examples of excellence in all sectors.”
Chris Hart, chairman of the board of the ERBID Company, added: "Can I just say a massive congratulations to all. It’s so well deserved and a great recognition for all of the hard work and commitment that has been put in."
Torbay's other success stories and award winners were Torquay's Offshore Pub and Restaurant who won silver in Pub of the Year, the Raptor and Torquay Watersports who were awarded bronze in Experience of the Year and Torquay's Small World Tapas who also grabbed bronze in the Restaurant of the Year category.
The awards covered 25 different categories including a Winner of Winners award to Alder Vineyard.
Other categories covered food and drink, accommodation, wedding and event venues, attractions and activities alongside thematic awards for sustainabilty, accessibility and dog-friendliness.
Lawrence Palk, Director of B2B Sales at headline sponsors Wildanet, said: “Many congratulations to all the finalists and winners from last night’s award ceremony. It was a privilege to be part of what was a fantastic event, recognising the exceptional talent and huge contribution that businesses in this sector are making to the benefit of their guests, the local economy across Devon, the South West and the industry at large.
“We are extremely proud to support the Devon Tourism Awards and to be helping provide more and more businesses in this sector with better broadband and improved digital connectivity to enable their business to achieve even greater success in the future. Thanks again to Robin Barker and the team for organising another incredible event and we’re looking forward to next year already.”
Awards organiser Robin Barker, of Services for Tourism, said: “What an extraordinary industry and county this is! Whatever is thrown at this sector there is a dynamic core that bypasses the hurdles and continues to innovate and invest – and what’s also great is that entries into the awards are up – especially in the New Tourism Business, Ethical Responsible and Sustainable, and Accessible and Inclusive Tourism categories – all of them so central to a thriving region.”
Successful businesses in the Devon Awards will now be fast tracked into the South West Tourism Excellence Awards in March and possibly the national Visit England awards later in the year.