A NUMBER of businesses in West Devon have been recognised for their qualities and announced as finalists in the Devon Tourism Awards 2011.

The Devon Tourism Awards received a record number of entries this year, demonstrating that tourism in Devon is alive and businesses are keen to showcase their talents.

After rigorous judging, 27 businesses across the county have been selected as representing the best of Devon tourism and final places will be revealed at the awards ceremony on November 23.

In West Devon five businesses have been nominated for awards.

The Arundell Arms Hotel in Lifton has been nominated in the Best Tourism Activity, Sport and Experience of the Year category, both Wheatland Farm in Winkleigh and Woodovis Park in Tavistock are up for the Sustainable Tourism Award, and Gidleigh Park in Chagford has been nominated for two awards — Hotel of the Year and the Taste of Devon Award.

The Devon Tourism Awards were first launched in 2010 and were deemed to be a huge success.

Judging is carried out through a combination of scoring, mystery visits and web searches.

Each category will have a combination of gold, silver and bronze winners, with one entry selected for the coveted winner of winners award. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony at Sandy Park in Exeter.

Successful businesses in the Devon Awards will be fast tracked into the South West Tourism Excellence Awards in February, and possibly on to the National Visit England Awards in May next year.

General manager of Visit Devon Rosie Bates said Devon tourism providers have performed very well this year, which meant choosing the shortlist was a tough job for the judging panel: 'We were pleased to have so many excellent businesses vying for awards in their respective categories, it demonstrates the high quality of tourism businesses that we have here in Devon for our visitors to enjoy.'