From hotels to entire towns, outstanding individuals and organisations were recognised at the fifth annual Isle of Man Tourism awards today (Tuesday).

Some of the Island's most dedicated individuals were rewarded for their commitment to quality and service.

Elizabeth Cubbon went along to the ceremony at the Empress Hotel (play audio file):

The award winners were: Best Customer Service - HQ Bar & Restaurant , Douglas (Angela McCluskey, Ian Cain and Chris Tomkins).

Best Eating Out Experience - Tapas the Spanish Restaurante, Port Jack, Douglas (Manolo Segovia and Jill Lovrich).

Best Accommodation of the Year, Hotel - The Welbeck, Douglas (Michael and Irene George).

Best Tourist Accommodation of the Year, Guest Accommodation - Kings Guest House, Douglas (Carol Howard).

Best Accommodation of the Year, Self-Catering - Laxey Harbour Chalets (Brian and Barbara Quirk).

Best Accommodation of the Year, Campsite/Hostel - Laxey Campsite (Susan Jones and Pete Burgess).

Best Attraction of the Year - Nautical Museum (Billy Stowell, visitor services assistant).

Best Town or Village - Peel (Commissioner Ray Harmer and clerk Peter Leadley).

Best Event of the Year - Easter Festival of Full Length Plays (Michael Lees and Aalin Cunningham).

The Special Award for outstanding contribution to Tourism went to Billy Stowell, the visitor services assistant at the Nautical Museum in Castletown.

Billy was recommended for the award by the judges as they felt he was an integral part of the attraction and without him the museum wouldn't be quite the experience it is now.