Weymouth and west Dorset business are well represented as the shortlist is announced for a tourism awards showcase.
The finalists have been announced for this year’s Dorset Tourism Awards which will be presented at The Tank Museum next month.
A record 146 entries were received from across Dorset, with 77 selected as finalists who are now in suspense until the awards ceremony when they will learn whether they have won Gold, Silver or Bronze awards. A further 12 receive Commended status.
Hoping for success again is Dorchester's Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum which picked up a clutch of awards last year including Tourism Innovation gold. It is nominated in two categories this year.
The 7th year of the competition has seen many changes, with new entry forms, new processes and a closer link with the regional South West and national VisitEngland Awards.
Judging has also changed with an increased focus on digital presence and evidence.
Awards organiser Robin Barker of Services for Tourism said: “Change is one of the constants in business success and so it is with awards entrants and our own teams, who this year have completed a record 115 judging visits to Dorset businesses in their search for exemplars of excellence.
"This year has also seen our own recognition winning a Gold accreditation in the Awards Trustmark scheme, the only holders of this accolade in the region or in UK tourism, and I’d like to publicly acclaim all those in our teams whose professionalism has made this possible.”
Saffery Champness Chartered Accountants Partner Nick Fernyhough said: “Interest in the awards has continued to increase year on year and the judging panel were thoroughly delighted at this year’s numbers. What has been particularly pleasing has been to see the number of first-time finalists as well as lots of new brand names and first-time entries."
The awards ceremony is on Thursday, October 17 and it will be hosted by BBC Dorset’s Steve Harris, with guest Speaker Simon Cripps, Chief Executive of Dorset Wildlife Trust.
FULL LIST OF FINALISTS & COMMENDED 2019
ACCESS AND INCLUSIVITY AWARD
Bridport Town Council – West Bay Play Area
Durlston Country Park National Nature Reserve, Swanage
Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum, Dorchester
ACTIVE AND SPORTING EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR
Cumulus Outdoors, Wareham
Lyme Bay RIB Charter
RockReef and PierZip on Bournemouth Pier
B&B AND GUESTHOUSE OF THE YEAR
Gutchpool B&B, Gillingham
Mory House, Southbourne
Wooden Cabbage, Dorchester
Commended
St John’s Guest House, Weymouth
BUSINESS EVENTS & WEDDING VENUE OF THE YEAR
Mapperton Weddings, Beaminster
Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth
The Green House Hotel, Bournemouth
Upton Country Park
CAFÉ/TEAROOM OF THE YEAR
Taste Café on Chesil Beach, Portland
The Gallery Café, Pallington
Yellow Bicycle Café, Blandford
Commended
The Coach House Café, Beaminster
CUSTOMER SERVICE SUPERSTAR AWARD
Winner will be announced on the night
DOG FRIENDLY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Lancombe Country Cottages & Lodges, Dorchester
The Grove Arms, Ludwell
Upton Country Park
ETHICAL, RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD
Bagwell Farm Touring Park, Weymouth
Bridport Tourist Information Centre
The Grange at Oborne, Sherborne
Commended
Farmstead Glamping, Sturminster Newton
FORTHGLADE DOG FRIENDLY PUB OF THE YEAR
Milton Arms, Winterborne Whitechurch
The Grove Arms, Ludwell
GLAMPING & ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR
Dorset Forest Garden Glamping, Beaminster
Farmstead Glamping, Sturminster Newton
The Seaside Shepherd’s Hut, West Bexington
HOLIDAY PARK OF THE YEAR
Highlands End Holiday Park, Eype
The Waterside Holiday Park & Spa, Weymouth
Commended
Durdle Door Holiday Park,
Oakdene Forest Park, St Leonards
INTERNATIONAL VISITOR EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR
Jurassic Coast Guides, Milborne St Andrew
The Tank Museum – Tankfest, Bovington
LARGE HOTEL OF THE YEAR
Christchurch Harbour Hotel, Christchurch
Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth
RNLI College, Poole
Commended
Moonfleet Manor Hotel, Weymouth
LARGE VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR
Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park, Poole
Moors Valley Country Park & Forest, Ringwood
The Tank Museum, Bovington
LEARNING EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR
Jurassic Coast Guides, Milborne St Andrew
Lulworth Outdoors, Wareham
RNLI College Discovery & ALC Tours, Poole
Commended
Birds of Poole Harbour
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO DORSET TOURISM
Will be announced on the night
NEW TOURISM BUSINESS AWARD
Farmstead Glamping, Sturminster Newton
West Bay Discovery Centre
PUB OF THE YEAR
Acorn Inn, Evershot
The Halfmoon, Shaftesbury
Three Horseshoes Pub & Kitchen, Burton Bradstock
Commended
The Fat Badger, Weymouth
RESTAURANT/BISTRO OF THE YEAR
Arbor Restaurant, Bournemouth
Seasons at The Eastbury, Sherborne
The Jetty, Christchurch Harbour Hotel, Christchurch
The Ollerod, Beaminster
Commended
Drgnfly, Poole
SELF CATERING ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR
Doles Ash Farm Holiday Cottages, Dorchester
Greenwood Grange, Higher Bockhampton
Merry Hill Barn, Luxury Dorset Cottages, Abbotsbury
Commended
Burnbake Forest Lodges, Corfe Castle
SMALL HOTEL OF THE YEAR
The Eastbury, Sherborne
The Grange at Oborne
The Green House Hotel, Bournemouth
SMALL VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR
Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park, Verwood
Langham Wine Estate, Dorchester
Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum, Dorchester
Commended
Sculpture by the Lakes, Pallington
SPA & WELLBEING EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR
Christchurch Harbour Hotel
Mellulah Therapy & Yoga Retreats, Milton Abbas
Lovegrove at The Ollerod, Beaminster
TOURING CAMPING AND CARAVANNING PARK OF THE YEAR
East Fleet Touring Park, Chickerell
South Lytchett Manor Caravan and Camping Park, Dorchester
Wood Farm Caravan Park, Charmouth
Commended
Higher Moor Farm Campsite, Weymouth
TOURISM EVENT/FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR
Christmas Tree Wonderland, Bournemouth
Sherborne Abbey Festival
Stompin’ on the Quomps, Christchurch
The Tank Museum, Bovington
TOURISM INNOVATION AWARD
Christmas Tree Wonderland, Bournemouth
Yellow Buses, Bournemouth
VISITOR INFORMATION SERVICE OF THE YEAR
Bridport Tourist Information Centre
Discover Purbeck Tourist Information Centre
Swanage Information Centre
WINNER OF WINNERS
Will be announced on the night
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