The wait is nearly over for businesses, attractions and accommodation providers vying for honours in a prestigious new official awards scheme.
For the finalists in the first Destination Awards – which celebrate excellence in businesses that make Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole a great place to visit, live and work – are set to be announced.
Up to five finalists in each of the awards’ 14 categories will be named during a special event at the Lost Paradise Bar in Bournemouth on Monday, February 3.
The awards were set up by the Destination Management Board, made up of representatives from the tourism industry and BCP Council, guiding the strategic direction of tourism for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
Independent judges, overseen by an independent adjudicator, have drawn up the list of finalists after a robust judging process which entailed visiting entrants shortlisted from the original application process.
David Bailey, Chair of the Destination Management Board, said the awards were a great new showcase for the outstanding work being done locally to attract more tourists to the area and increase facilities for residents.
“There are a huge number of businesses all working terrifically hard to raise the profile of this area and these new awards – very different to anything we have seen before – recognise these efforts.
“The standard of entries we have received has been remarkably good and our judges have really had their work cut out in choosing the finalists.”
“Any entrant who reaches the final can be certain that they deserve to be there. We pride ourselves on the independence of our judges and the transparency and vigorousness of the judging process.
The overall winners will be revealed at a glittering ceremony at the BIC in March.
The 14 award categories are:
- Events & Cultural Award
- Attraction of the Year
- Large Hotel of the Year
- Small or Boutique Hotel of the Year
- Unserviced Accommodation of the Year
- Café or Tearoom of the Year
- Restaurant or Bistro of the Year
- Retail Innovation Award
- Getting About Award
- Business Tourism Award
- Responsible, Ethical & Sustainable Tourism Award
- International or Inbound Tourism Award
- Digital Transformation Award
- Industry Support Award
Headline sponsor for the awards is Yellow Buses, now wholly locally owned after a management buyout, along with Expectations Travel, the Marsham Court Hotel, Cameo & Myu Bar, Hot Radio and event organiser dbox events.
For more information about Yellow Buses please visit www.yellowbuses.co.uk