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AWARD FOR MAJOR ISLAND EVENT

A well known Isle of Wight event has won a prestigious tourism award.

The 2009 Isle of Wight Walking Festival, which is organised by Isle of Wight Council, won Silver in the Tourism Event of the Year category at the Tourism ExSEllence Awards.

The awards, held at Wentworth Golf Club on Thursday 22 October, recognises excellence, quality and innovation that has been achieved over the last 18 months, across all sectors of the tourism industry in the South East.

IW Council's Events team accepted the award from TV personality Gyles Brandreth.

George Brown, Isle of Wight Council's Cabinet member with responsibility for tourism said "I offer my congratulations to the council and its events team on organising what was a hugely successful 2009 Isle of Wight Walking Festival.

"The festival is the UK's largest and regularly attracts over 20,000 visitors and is no stranger to winning prestigious awards.

"Not only did the Walking Festival win an award, there were seven other award winners from the Isle of Wight on the day, namely:

Silver Award Winners

Seaview Wildlife Encounter, Seaview/Best Tourism Experience Award

Old Mill Holiday Park, St Helens, Caravan/Holiday Park of the Year

Mersley Farm Self Catering Barns and Cottages, Newchurch/Self Catering Holiday of the Year

Highly Commended

Sunny Bay Apartments, Shanklin/Access for All

The Orchards Holiday Park/Newbridge, Caravan/Holiday Park of the Year

The Garlic Farm, Newchurch/Flavour of the South East

Bedford Lodge, Shanklin/Sustainable Tourism Award

"This demonstrates to me that when it comes to tourism, the Island is getting some excellent recognition"

More information about the Tourism ExSEllence Awards, can be found at www.getdiscovered2009.co.uk/2009-finalists.asp