Tourism businesses across Devon are being encouraged to promote and celebrate their achievements and quality by entering the Devon Tourism Awards 2013.

The awards are open to all sectors of the industry across Devon, including accommodation, attractions, events, activity providers and places to eat and drink.

To reflect the industry and increasing participation in the awards a number of changes have been made to the programme which is now in its 4th year.

Pubs have now been separated from the Taste of Devon category into their own standalone category, and reflecting the number of entries in recent years the attractions category has been divided into Small and Large Attractions.

The Business Tourism category has also been renamed as ‘Venue and Business Tourism award, in recognition of the importance of weddings to the tourism industry.

Visit Devon chairman, Carolyn Custerson, said: “It’s more crucial than ever before that we celebrate and promote the best that Devon has to offer visitors. The Devon Tourism Awards play a key role in rewarding the vision, talent and hard work of the local tourism industry. They also highlight the contribution made towards key issues such as sustainability, accessibility and staff training and development.

“The updated categories mean there is something for every tourism related business and we hope 2013 is a record year for entries.” The launch of the Devon Tourism Awards coincides with the Cornwall and South West awards and comes fresh from the county’s outstanding success in this year’s national VisitEngland awards, when Devon businesses picked up 5 national awards.

“Winning an Award leads to other things, more bookings, invitations to take part in other media exercises and a web site logo to set us apart from the competition”, said Joy Raymond of Hedgehog Corner B&B in Devon.

Pippa Griffith from the Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life said: “The rewards have been fantastic. Winning two prestigious awards has really helped us to raise our profile and we will continue to use it as good advocacy for the museum for the next 12 months (especially in a region jam-packed with high quality visitor attractions!)”

Winners from the Devon awards will be fast-tracked into the South West awards, with South West winners submitted to the national VisitEngland awards. Entry is free, the programmes being funded by a range of sponsors and partners, and all entrants receive feedback.

The deadline for entering is 5pm on Thursday 21st June. Full details of the tourism awards, along with details of how to enter, top tips and entry forms are at www.devontourismawards.co.uk.