Awards will celebrate the best of the county’s visitor economy at black-tie gala in October

THE SHORTLIST has been announced for the 2026 Croeso Awards, celebrating the best of Pembrokeshire’s tourism and hospitality industry.

Organised by Visit Pembrokeshire, the awards return every two years and recognise businesses, organisations and individuals delivering outstanding visitor experiences across the county.

This year’s awards attracted 150 entries across 17 categories, with judges praising the quality of submissions from across Pembrokeshire’s visitor economy.

All entries were assessed anonymously by an independent panel of tourism experts from outside the county, to ensure a fair and impartial judging process.

The winners will be revealed at a black-tie gala evening on Thursday, October 29, at Pembrokeshire College.

This year’s ceremony will include a special collaboration between The Celtic Collection and Pembrokeshire College, delivering a gourmet dining experience for guests.

Hospitality students from the college will play a leading role on the evening, working alongside chefs and hospitality professionals from The Celtic Collection. Organisers say the partnership will give students valuable real-world experience while showcasing the next generation of Welsh hospitality talent.

The Croeso Awards are supported by headline sponsor Pure West Radio, with The Celtic Collection also supporting the event as mentoring partner for Pembrokeshire College students.

Emma Thornton, Chief Executive Officer of Visit Pembrokeshire, said the response to this year’s awards had been “nothing short of outstanding”.

She said: “Receiving 150 entries across 17 categories reflects not only the strength of Pembrokeshire’s tourism industry, but the incredible passion, professionalism and innovation shown by businesses across the county.

“The quality of entries made the judging process exceptionally difficult, and I would like to congratulate every business that entered. Being shortlisted is a significant achievement in itself.

“These awards celebrate the people and businesses that make Pembrokeshire such a special place to visit, and we look forward to bringing the industry together in October to celebrate their success.”

Tickets for the awards evening are £80 plus VAT per person and include the dining experience and awards ceremony. Places can be booked by emailing [email protected].

Further information is available at www.visitpembrokeshire.com/croeso-awards/the-awards.

Croeso Awards 2026 shortlist

Sustainable and Immersive Experience for Cruise Passengers
Fishguard Bay Welcome
Velfrey Vineyard
VIP Wales

Event of the Year
Torch Theatre, Sunset Cinema
Carew Castle and Tidal Mill, The Launch of the Giant Trebuchet
Fforest, Feast Event

Hotel of the Year
Grove of Narberth
St Brides Spa Hotel
Wolfscastle Country Hotel and Spa

Caravan Park Award
Redford Caravan Park Ltd
The Greener Camping Club Sites of Pembrokeshire
Trees Caravan Park

B&B, Inn and Guesthouse Award
Roch Castle
Rwts Rooms and Resto
The Wolfe Inn, Wolfscastle

Pub of the Year
The Griffin
The Hope & Anchor, Tenby
The Wolfe Inn, Wolfscastle

Camping and Glamping Award
Florence Springs Glamping and Camping
Green Sheep Camping
Nights Under Canvas

Tourism Service/Product Supplier Award
Barti Rum Ltd
Farmers Food At Home
Llaeth Preseli Milk & Gelato
St Davids Old Farmhouse Brewery

Dog Friendly Business Award
Landsker Paws
Musselwick Farm Cottages
Sleekstone Holidays

Attraction of the Year
Carew Castle and Tidal Mill
Heatherton World of Activities
Sweet Home Alpaca

Activity, Experience or Tours Award
Sweet Home Alpaca
Tenby Adventure
Tenby’s Great Escape

Bro a Byd, Environmental and Sustainability Award
Fforest
Greener Camping Club
St Davids Old Farmhouse Brewery
Sweet Home Alpaca

Place to Eat Award
Lan y Môr
Pembrokeshire Seaweeds Ltd / The Really Wild Emporium
Stoked at Wild Lakes
The Cliff Restaurant, St Brides Spa Hotel

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust
Red Onion Garden Café
The Harriet Davis Seaside Holiday Trust for Disabled Children

Self-Catering 1-3 Units Award
1 Edge House
Plas Pantyderi Manor
Quarrywood Glamping Ltd
Sleekstone Holidays
The Long Barn

Self-Catering 4+ Units Award
Cwm Connell Coastal Cottages
Florence Springs Luxury Lodges
Musselwick Farm Cottages
Washfield Cottages

Rising Star Award
Grove of Narberth, Ffion Howells
Sweet Home Alpaca, Angela Frayling-James
Carew Castle and Tidal Mill, Matt Small
The Angel, Narberth, Louise Morgan

TOURISM developers in Wales are likely to face greater pressure to show how new projects benefit local communities, support jobs and protect Welsh culture, according to planning and development consultancy Lichfields.

Plaid Cymru is leading the Welsh Government for the first time after emerging as the largest party in the Senedd, although it does not hold an overall majority.

No major tourism-specific policy announcements have yet been made by the new administration, but Lichfields says the direction of travel suggests a stronger emphasis on sustainable tourism, local benefit, the Welsh language and community involvement in planning decisions.

Tourism and hospitality is a major part of the Welsh economy, employing around one in nine people across Wales, rising to about one in five in areas such as Pembrokeshire and Anglesey.

Key policy areas already affecting the sector include the visitor levy, the 182-day threshold for holiday accommodation, and new registration requirements for short-term visitor accommodation, which are due to come into force from October 2026.

Planning reform is also expected to have implications for tourism development. Proposed changes include stronger community involvement, earlier pre-application consultation, greater emphasis on the Welsh language, simplified planning processes, and reform of national and regional planning frameworks.

Helen Ashby-Ridgway, Planning Director at Lichfields, said: “The change in government is an important moment for tourism and planning in Wales, but the direction of travel looks more evolutionary than revolutionary.

“Tourism is recognised as an important part of the Welsh economy, but future proposals will need to do more than show visitor demand. They will need to show how development supports local jobs, communities, culture, language and long-term place-making.

“That does not mean tourism development cannot come forward. It means operators, landowners and developers should be thinking carefully about how proposals are shaped, explained and brought to local communities from the outset.”

From October 2026, providers offering stays of 31 nights or fewer will need to register with the Welsh Revenue Authority by March 31, 2027. The data collected is expected to help local authorities better understand the scale and location of visitor accommodation in their areas.

Lichfields says this could influence planning policy, local development plans and future investment decisions.

Helen added: “The short-term accommodation register could become an important evidence base for councils and for businesses looking to invest in Wales.

“Good data should help move the debate beyond assumptions. It can give councils, communities and the industry a clearer picture of where accommodation is located, what demand looks like and where future growth may be appropriate.

“For tourism businesses, the key will be to engage early, take part in plan-making and show clearly how proposals deliver economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits. That will become increasingly important if planning policy moves further towards community value and local benefit.”

Because Plaid Cymru is leading without an overall majority, cross-party support is likely to be needed to deliver future reforms. Several current policy areas, including the visitor levy and accommodation registration system, continue measures developed during the previous Senedd term.

Lichfields says those bringing forward tourism and leisure developments in Wales should prepare for a planning environment where community engagement, local benefit and policy alignment carry increasing weight.

ROADWORKS linked to structural repairs at Goscar House in Tenby are nearing completion, with Crackwell Street expected to reopen to through traffic today (Wednesday, June 24).

Scaffolding has now been removed from the property, with contractors carrying out a general clearance of the area.

The road has been closed for around five months while structural repair work has been taking place.

Local residents, businesses and visitors are expected to welcome the reopening, with Crackwell Street forming an important route through the town.

Pembrokeshire County Council has indicated that, all being well, the road will reopen later today.

Gareth Davies, of Gareth Davies Photography Tenby, said it was “good to see the removal of scaffolding today and general clearance on the property”.

He added that locals and visitors would be “so pleased” to see the road open once again.

UPDATE 4pm, 24/6/2026

Crackwell Street in Tenby has re-opened to traffic today (Wednesday June 24).

Scaffolding was removed this morning after extensive structural work on the building was completed.

Pembrokeshire County Council acknowledges that work on the private property has taken longer than originally expected and the road closure has caused disruption to residents and visitors.

Delays were caused by greater structural work being required than first envisaged and weather affecting the rendering process.

Throughout this closure the Council has been in close contact with the property owners and stressed the importance of the work being completed at the earliest opportunity.

The Council thanks residents and visitors for their patience while the work has been completed and scaffolding removed.

Local Member Cllr Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, said: “The road closure has been a difficult situation for lots of people, but I am very relieved it has now re-opened. I add my appreciation to all residents and visitors for their patience during the closure period.

“Many thanks to those who have gone the extra mile in getting Crackwell Street re-opened today.”

Photo caption:

Clearance work: Contractors at Crackwell Street, Tenby, as scaffolding is removed from Goscar House (Pic: Gareth Davies).