Southland named best park in South East

A CAMPING and caravan park based at Newchurch, near Sandown on the Isle of Wight has added to its long list of awards at the Tourism Excellence Awards 2006.

Southland Camping and Touring Park beat of stiff competition from the whole of the South East of England to be named Caravan Holiday Park of the Year for the South East. Owners Viv and Vanessa McGuinness were presented with their award by TV personality Angela Rippon at an awards ceremony in October.

The McGuinnesses, who already have a host of awards, including MMM’s best park for Motorhomes, and the Calor Gas best touring park in England award, have made a number of improvements in 2006 which helped to secure their new title. The site now offers free wi-fi internet access, more pitches with their own water supply, and more roads across the site. The sites commitment to the environment – which includes the use of electric maintenance vehicles across the site and many recycling and energy saving initiatives - also had a hand in the win.

Tourism South East Managing Director Bob Collier said: “Winning this category doesn’t just reflect the high quality of the facilities on offer at the site. It is an ongoing commitment to customer service, quality and innovation that has helped Southland stand out. It has demonstrated a genuine care for the environment and, of course, the visitor, and that has been instrumental to being recognised as an outstanding business and a deserved winner.”

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