Salisbury International Arts Festival has been awarded the title of ‘Tourism Event of the Year’ at this year’s South West Tourism Excellence Awards. The awards celebrate the ‘best in the South West' and aim to promote and reward the leading businesses and individuals in the tourism industry.

Accepting the award on behalf of the Festival, director Maria Bota said: ‘We are absolutely delighted to receive this prestigious award, which is a terrific endorsement of all the dedicated work of the team, sponsors, partners, volunteers and friends.  Above all, we seek to inspire, entertain and create moments for people which will stay with them for the rest of their lives.  We are honoured to be working in a glorious landscape and we are committed to continuing to position Salisbury, Wiltshire and the South West on the cultural tourism map. Without the support of our sponsors, Friends Provident, Wiltshire Council and Arts Council South West we would not be in a position to deliver a Festival that is in the top 6% of arts festivals in the UK and the biggest in the South West.’

The Gold award recognises the Festival’s fantastic track record of presenting events to over 55,000 IN 2009. The economic impact of this year’s event is over £3 million. It attracts visitors from around the country and across the world.

The Festival has developed into a major annual UK multi-arts event, presenting every major artform, in and around the stunning setting of Salisbury, Wiltshire.

The judges said ‘The Festival is the winner not just because of its scale but because everything is done so well. In tourism terms it not only delivers a fantastic experience to visitors but attracts new ones from across the world. A fantastic event and a worthy winner.’

The awards night is the highlight of the regional tourism calendar and was held last night 23 November at Saunton Sands Hotel, Devon.

The Festival will now go on to represent the region at the National Enjoy England Awards for Excellence in 2010.

Notes to Editors:

The Salisbury International Arts Festival has a distinguished history of presenting international arts events both traditional and contemporary across 16 days of celebrations each summer. The Festival has developed into a major annual UK multi-arts event, presenting every major artform, in the stunning setting of in and around Salisbury, Wiltshire.  Participants and audiences travel from far and wide.

The Salisbury International Arts Festival is supported by Friends Provident, Wiltshire Council and Arts Council England – South West.

South West Tourism is the official regional tourist board, working with partners to stimulate and manage the development of tourism in; Bath, Bristol, Bournemouth/Poole, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Cotswolds & Forest of Dean and Wiltshire, in line with the regional tourism strategy.

South West Tourism is an independent body for tourism in the region with a board of directors drawn from predominately the private sector and partners, and is funded by the South West RDA and European commission funds. www.swtourism.org.uk

The Enjoy England Awards for Excellence celebrate the best of English tourism.  Run by VisitEngland in conjunction with England’s regions, they promote healthy industry competition and high standards, helping to ensure England's place as a world-class destination.