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The Italian city of Genoa, a chain of former lighthouse cottages and a luxury eco-lodge are the winners of the British Guild of Travel Writers' (BGTW) prestigious 2004 Tourism Awards.
The winners were announced at the BGTW's gala dinner held on Sunday night at the Savoy Hotel, London. They were selected from finalists, nominated by BGTW members, in three categories in recognition of both their strong tourism potential and benefits to the local community and environment.
Genoa, European City of Culture 2004, won the coveted Globe Award for the best major tourism project worldwide that attracts more than a quarter of a million visitors a year.
Lisa Gerard-Sharp, who nominated the city, said: "Genoa was an edgy, dilapidated city with an ugly port and neglected art treasures. Even the city symbol, the 16th century lighthouse, was inaccessible. Genoa 2004 is a return to the enlightened patronage of the ancient maritime city with a myriad of new attractions that are rooted in the city's identity."
Trinity Lighthouse Cottages, a chain of more than 30 former lighthouse keepers' houses that have been converted into holiday homes, won the award for the Best UK Tourism Project. They are available to rent year round through the Worcestershire-based specialist holiday cottage agency Rural Retreats and the award was presented to Rural Retreats Chief Executive Nicholas House.
Paul Gogarty, who nominated the cottages, said: "The redundant Grade II listed historic lighthouse cottages have been sympathetically and tastefully converted for long term, sustainable regional tourism and, allied to the finest network of coastal walking trails, they show the very best facet of British tourism."
Winner of the award for the Best Overseas Tourism Project was in The Gambia. At one time the Makasutu rain forest was under threat was under threat but it has been saved through the Makasutu Culture Forest Project, which has provided work for 200 Gambians and, in turn, support for around 2,000 members of their families. Set in 1,000 acres if woodland it includes visitor trails, local crafts, an eco-lodge, five solar powered houseboats, a stilted house, lagoon and thatched buildings.
"Every stick and stone, every hour of labour and every artefact came from The Gambia and reflected Gambian culture," said Mary Johns who nominated Makasutu. "It is the most stunning lodge I have ever seen."
Runners-up in the three categories were:
The Golden Globe
- Trafalgar Square - Renovation scheme with improved access that has seen visitor numbers double and a significant drop in crime
- Vulcania, France - Scientific exploration park situated amongst extinct volcanoes in the Auvergne
Best UK Tourism Project
- Museum in Docklands - Museum tracing the 2,000 year story of the Port of London.
- Tyntesfield - a 19th century Somerset property bought by the National Trust in 2002 and restored using volunteer help, including training programmes for young offenders
Best Overseas Tourism Project
- Che Guevara Trail, Bolivia - Road trail following the Che legend from Santa Cruz de la Sierra to the villages of Vallegrande and La Higuera, opening up low-level tourism in a remote, desperately deprived area
- Bushman Sands, South Africa - Game reserve with wilderness retreat, hotel, cultural village and Gary Player golf course that has revitalised a rundown town and provided over 1000 jobs
Each year the BGTW hosts the awards ceremony on the eve of the global trade tourism event, World Travel Market.
ENDS
Note to Editors: Founded in 1960, the British Guild of Travel Writers is an association of over 230 professional writers, editors, photographers, producers, radio and television presenters involved in the world of travel.
More information on the award winning projects can be found at:
For further information contact:
Jeannine Williamson
Motcombe Media
Tel: 01323 641078 or 07710 858493
Email:
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