FISHGUARD has been recognised for its warm Welsh welcome at the National Tourism Awards, held at the Celtic Manor Hotel last week.

Fishguard Bay Welcome (FBW), a group of volunteers, local dignitaries and co-ordinators that welcomes cruise ships to the area, received the SW Wales regional award for Best Destination.

The welcome the group provides a meet and greet service, welcome bags and Welsh cakes and an information service.

FBW also organises local musicians and groups to entertain the passengers as they disembark and embark and provides local producers the chance to showcase their wares during cruise craft fares.

Last year the group also co-ordinated a pilot project where hundreds of passengers were welcomed into local homes for lunch and it organised farewell fireworks for the vessel Seabourne Quest.

All this has earned Fishguard the accolade of providing the "best welcome ever" and the "friendliest place in the world".

Although FBW did not scoop the Wales-wide the group was extremely pleased to be named the best in the region.

"In accepting the regional award we are delighted for ourselves, the Fishguard Friendly Faces, some of whom were with us on the evening, the twin towns, and indeed anyone who has been associated with the operation," said cruise co-ordinator Alex Harding.

"It's not bad for its first proper established year to be recognised in this way."

FBW has also been shortlisted for the Pembrokeshire Tourism Awards in the Best Welcome Team category alongside the Giltar Hotel and Bethsaida B&B.

The winners will be announced on Saturday, April 21.

"We are absolutely delighted that Fishguard Bay Welcome and the Fishguard Friendly Faces have been shortlisted for this award," said Alex.

"It goes without saying that it really is a huge team effort and it's so wonderful when it is recognised."

In 2018 FBW will welcome 32 cruise ships into Fishguard, with the first arriving in May.

Anyone interested in becoming part of an award winning team should contact

alex@fishguardbaywelcome.org.uk or Jana@fishguardbaywelcome.org.uk.