High quality and customer service excellence in the Isle of Man’s hospitality industry was recognised at the 2014 Taste Awards and Tourism Accolades.
David Cretney MHK, the department’s political member with responsibility for tourism and motorsport presented the awards.
He said: ‘I was very impressed with the number of industry members achieving excellence and note that there is already a waiting list of interested parties seeking recognition for next year.
‘As laid out in our strategy for the “visitor economy” [the term the Department of Economic Development now uses for tourism] we are committed to helping drive up quality. This is the most competitive industry in the world so it’s important that we continue to raise our standards and facilities in line with the expectations of both visitors and local residents.
‘These awards recognise the high achievers in our local industry and I would like to thank and congratulate them for their dedication and the tremendous effort they put into their businesses.
‘The visitor economy is an important wealth generator for the Isle of Man and as well as being a source of jobs and revenue. The quality of our hotels and eateries is also a key factor in attracting valuable new residents to the island.’
The Highest Quality Assured, Quality Assured and Harvest Scheme Taste awards are presented to food and drink establishments and Silver, Gold and Breakfast accolades to Accommodation providers.
There were 49 food and drink establishments recognised with 22 being awarded ‘Highest Quality Assured’.
Sixteen Gold and three silver accolades were awarded to accommodation providers. Eleven of these properties were registered and inspected for the first time this year reflecting the new businesses that have opened and the growth in bed spaces.
Additionally, a number of accommodation providers were accredited under the newly-introduced National Accessible Scheme for the provision of accommodation for those visitors with mobility, hearing and visual issues.
Each of these establishments had demonstrated a serious commitment to providing accessible accommodation by joining the scheme at their own cost and making any necessary adjustments to their property.
Mr Cretney added: ‘I’m delighted to say that every applicant was successfully accredited and we now have a portfolio of accommodation to offer to visitors with restricted mobility.’
The 2014-15 Taste Isle of Man Directory has now been published and 15,000 copies are being distributed island-wide. Copies can also be downloaded from.visitislofman.com/taste or collected from a Taste accredited venue or from the Welcome Centre at the Sea Terminal in Douglas.
The Gold and Silver Accommodation Accolades recognise exceptional quality in all areas, in particular in service and hospitality. The awards reflect an exceptional level of quality, comfort, plus high levels and attention to detail towards customer care and food provision.
The Breakfast Award is presented to those properties achieving exceptionally high scores for the quality of the breakfast they serve. As part of the annual assessment the assessor scores the breakfast served based on the specific criteria; choice and range of dishes offered, presentation and culinary skills, quality of the produce and breakfast service.
The Harvest Scheme award is given to real champions of local produce who work to source and promote the wonderful produce the Island has to offer.
Following a recent review of the usland’s current Accessibility Scheme for Visitor Accommodation, Isle of Man Tourism adopted the National Accessibility Scheme (NAS), a Visit England initiative used to rate the accessibility of Visitor Accommodation. It was introduced in England to comply with the UK Equality Bill (formerly the Disability Discrimination Act).
Quality Assured Award Bangkok Thai Restaurant, Douglas The British, Douglas Café Rosa, Glen Tramman Caledonia, Douglas The Colby Glen, Colby The Crosby The George, Castletown Harbour Bistro, Ramsey Horse and Plough, Douglas Kurries and Steaks, Douglas Manx Gourmet Burgers at The Empress, Douglas Marks & Spencer café, Douglas The Mitre, Kirk Michael Paragon, Douglas Peel Fisheries, Peel The Railway, Douglas The Raven, Ballaugh Sir Norman’s, Douglas The Station, Port Erin The Swan, Ramsey Tapas Spanish Restaurante, Onchan The Terminus Tavern, Douglas The Views Restaurant , Onchan The Whitestone, Ballasall
Highest Quality Assured Award Aaron House, Port St Mary Artisan, Douglas The Brasserie at the Empress The Boatyard, Peel The Bridge, Douglas Coast, Douglas The CrafTea Weaver, Laxey The Creek, Peel HQ Bar & Restaurant, Douglas Isola, Douglas Jaks, Douglas Jean Pierre’s Bistro, Ramsey La Mona Lisa, Laxey Lake View Resaurant at Ramsey Park Hotel, Ramsey New Manila, Douglas Portofino, Douglas The Gallery at the Sefton, Douglas The Courthouse, Douglas L’Experience, Douglas Little Fish Café, Douglas Patchwork Café, Port St Mary Swiss House Café, Bar and Grill, Glen Helen Tanroagan, Douglas 14 North, Douglas HQ Bar and Restaurant, Douglas
Harvest Award Aaron House, Port St Mary The Boatyard, Peel The Creek, Peel L’Experience, Douglas Lake View Resaurant at Ramsey Park Hotel, Ramsey Little Fish Café, Douglas Patchwork Café, Port St Mar Swiss House Café, Bar and Grill, Glen Helen Tanroagan, Douglas 14 North, Douglas HQ Bar and Restaurant, Douglas
Accommodation Accolades
Silver Accolade Langtoft Manor, Peel The River House, Ramsey Cara Mie, Ramsey
Gold Accolade Anchorage Cottage, Ramsey Baljean, Port Erin Ballacamaish Farm Cottages - Sunset View, Andreas Ballagawne Farm, Kirk Michael Creg ny Geay, Maughold Croit ny Moight, Onchan Edd Gollan Geayee, St Mark’s Englewood Lodge, Onchan Grenaby Estates, Grenaby Kionslieu Farm Cottages, Foxdale The Old Brickworks, St Jude’s Welbeck, Douglas Knockaloe Beg Farm, Partrick Woodbrae, Ramsey Ballavartyn Holiday Homes, Santon
Breakfast Award Cara Mie, Ramsey Knockaloe Beg Farm, Patrick Port Erin B&B, Port Erin Ramsey Park, Ramsey Raymond’s Bed and Breakfast, Douglas Woodbrae, Ramsey
National Accessibility Scheme Joey Dunlop House, Douglas King Williams College, Castletown Lilac & Bluebell Cottages, Ballasalla Salmon River Apartments, Laxey The Old Stables, Kirk Michael Thie Ribbedyr, Smeale