THE director of tourism said the annual Tourism Awards which were held in December were important in helping the Island to gain recognition as a quality visitor destination.
Rod Nipper said: "We need the Island to be recognised as a quality destination which has high standards. This will help us to get more people to come and more repeat visitors.
"They (the awards) are a great recognition of excellence and it's about striving to improve that public service ethos in the Island – to give visitors a really good warm Manx welcome and some great hospitality."
A record breaking 2,300 nomination cards were filled in by visitors and residents and these nominations were judged by an independent panel which included Deputy Chief Constable Gary Roberts.
Speaking about his role in the awards Mr Roberts said: "It might puzzle you as to why a police officer is involved in judging these awards. I don't think it is strange at all. My job is to keep the Island safe and if the Island is safe people will come and visit here. If I don't do my job, you can't do your job, and your businesses won't prosper.
"I think it's absolutely crucial that selling the Isle of Man and keeping the Isle of Man safe is a joint enterprise. There is a synergy between what we do and what you all do."
A new award was unveiled at the ceremony this year – The Outstanding Contribution to Tourism award - which went to Billy Stowell from the Nautical Museum in Castletown.
Mr Roberts explained: "The quality of the testimonials that we read were terrifically high. We actually thought there was a gap in the awards – we thought there should be an award for an individual.
"One individual stood out consistently throughout the whole process. The quality of the feedback that we got on this individual was outstanding and it was quite humbling to read. He made a difference to everybody and went out of his way for everybody to make things great for them. We felt as judges that should be recognised."
Billy was presented with a framed certificate and sword of state letter opener. He said: "It's a very very special thing. What I want to stress is that this year there were five staff and we're all the same. My name came out of the bag but this could not have happened without the other members of staff, Roy Hall, Frank James, Tony Kennaugh and Michael Barry."
Other winners included the HQ Bar and Restaurant for the Best Customer Service award. Proprietor Angela Mccluskey said that good staff are the key to success.
She explained: "We do genuinely enjoy meeting new people. We have very good staff that aren't time watching and they are interested in the people that come into the restaurant. I think it is down to staff attitude, their friendliness – a smile is free. We make sure people are enjoying themselves."
Tapas -The Spanish Restaurante won the award for Best Eating Out Experience for the second year running.
Owners Manalo Segovia and Jill Lovrich said: "We are ecstatic to win this award. It's very important but we don't run the business to win awards – we just have a good time while we are working. We try to make it special for the customer so that they get a whole experience."
Hotel accommodation of the year went to The Welbeck Hotel. Owners Michael and Irene George said: "We're delighted to win. We're very lucky in that the staff we have got are excellent and without them it would be nothing. We also reinvest in the hotel continually. We have been nominated previously but this is the first time we've won"
Steve Dawson, assistant director of tourism, concluded the ceremony congratulating all nominees and winners. He said: "We have hear with us today people who provide first class products and services and we must not forget how much they assist Isle of Man Tourism to ensure the Island's economy goes from strength to strength.
"Today we are celebrating the achievements of tourism businesses and individuals we represent the very best that the Isle of Man has to offer."
