[20
JUL 00] COVENTRY
AND WARWICKSHIRE PROMOTIONS NEWS
Godiva And Dog Rewarded For Tourist Boost
Coventry’s
modern-day Lady Godiva and a dog called Peggy were among those
honoured for their contribution to tourism in the area.
They
were presented with prizes for making a long-term effort towards
tourism in Coventry and Warwickshire at the Godiva 2000 tourism awards
at the Village Hotel and Leisure Club in Canley.
Pru
Porretta, who has played Lady Godiva for 18 years as well as running
ghost tours and training as a tour guide, was given an award for her
sustained contribution.
And
Peggy the dog, who has always made guests at Knightcote Farm Cottages,
near Leamington, was given a special bowl in honour of her own
efforts.
Hotels
in the area were also recognised at the special ceremony.
Toffs
Country House Hotel near Corley won the award for the Best Welcome,
while Coombe Abbey Hotel won the Best Conference Services award.
More
than 30 tourism businesses were nominated in three categories for the
Godiva 2000 tourism awards, organised by Coventry and Warwickshire
Promotions.
Pru
said she was flattered to receive the honour.
She
said:
“It’s
not just about riding a horse or being Lady Godiva. I’m proud of
Coventry and I feel that I want to share that with everybody.
“Godiva
is a good starting point. Through the role I’ve investigated what
Godiva is all about and bought her to life, and that is good for
tourism.
“But
to become a tour guide you have to pass exams and learn about a lot
of other things.
“The
thing to remember is that tourism is not just about tourists
visiting the city, it’s people coming here on conferences, or
visiting friends or relatives, and they have to be looked after
too.”
The
judges this year were Coventry Evening Telegraph editor Alan Kirby and
David Airey, Professor of Tourism at Surrey University (Sustained
Contributor Award), James Beresford, director of Regional Policy for
the Heart of England Tourist Board and June Picken, sales manager at
The Village Hotel (Best Welcome) and Tim Holmes, managing director,
Parenthesis Design and Marketing, and Tony Rogers, Executive Director
of the British Association of Conference Destinations (Best Conference
Service).
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