Fifty one of Dorset’s most inspiring and innovative businesses will soon be making tracks for one of the county’s top tourist attractions.

After four months of judging they’ve been named as finalists in this year’s Dorset Tourism Awards.

All are now in suspense until Thursday January 26, 2023, when the results will be announced at The Tank Museum at Bovington.

They’ll learn whether they’ve won gold, silver or bronze awards.

A further five receive Commended status and are listed, together with the finalists, below.

The annual competition, now in its 10th year, has evolved in parallel to the industry itself.

This year’s awards take greater account of entrants’ commitment to the environment and community as well as their digital presence.

The organisers, Services for Tourism, have also evolved after winning ‘Outstanding’ accreditation in the Awards TrustMark scheme.

Winners in many categories of this year’s Dorset Tourism Awards will be fast tracked into the South West Tourism Excellence Awards in March 2023.

They could also be invited to represent Dorset in the 2023 VisitEngland Awards.

Dorset businesses won a gold, silver and two bronzes in this year’s national awards.

Deborah Heather, Director of headline sponsors Quality in Tourism, pictured left, said: “The participants in the Dorset Tourism Awards are truly inspiring, innovative and some of the most professional and customer experience orientated operators we have met.

“We look forward to celebrating with all the finalists and wish everyone the best of luck.”

Awards organiser Robin Barker of Services for Tourism, pictured right, added: “In what is a tough environment for everyone it is heart-warming to read of these fabulous businesses who have continued to innovate and excel.

“My heartfelt congratulations to them all.”

The 19 award categories cover everything from dog friendly experiences and cafes to glamping, hotels and attractions.

A Winner of Winners title, a Future of Hospitality award and special Outstanding Contribution to Tourism award will also be presented on the night.

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2022/23 DORSET TOURISM AWARDS

Sponsored by Quality in Tourism

The full list of finalists and commended (in alphabetical order) is:

ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE TOURISM AWARD sponsored by Bournemouth University Business School

• Birchcroft – Hideaway, Bournemouth
• Dorset Museum, Dorchester
• Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth

B&B AND GUESTHOUSE OF THE YEAR sponsored by Goadsby

• Kelston Guest House, Weymouth
• The Brunswick Bed and Breakfast, Weymouth

BUSINESS EVENTS VENUE OF THE YEAR, sponsored by NFU Mutual, Bournemouth

• Dorset Museum, Dorchester
• Lighthouse, Poole
• Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth

CAFÉ/TEAROOM OF THE YEAR sponsored by Clipper

• Picnic Park Deli, Bournemouth
• Seasons Kitchen & Coffee Barn, Ringwood
• Taste Café at Dorset Museum, Dorchester

CAMPING & CARAVANNING PARK OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Holidaymaker App

• Bagwell Farm Touring Park, Weymouth
• Longthorns Farm, Wareham
• Monkton Wyld Holiday Park, Charmouth

DOG FRIENDLY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Hoseasons

• Golden Acre Jurassic Coastal Lodges, Bridport
• Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth

EATING OUT AWARD, sponsored by Black Cow Vodka

• Renoufs Cheese and Wine Bar, Wimborne
• Restaurant Les Enfants Terribles, Weymouth
• The Dorset Burger Company, Weymouth

ETHICAL, RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD sponsored by Bournemouth Water

• Dorset Forest Garden Glamping, Beaminster
• Green House Hotel, Bournemouth
• The Grange at Oborne, Sherborne

Commended:

• Shore Campers – Campervan Hire, St Leonards

EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR

• Get Lost Powerboat Training, Poole
• Alpaca Walking Experience, Longthorns Farm, Wareham
• Shore Campers – Campervan Hire, Bournemouth

Commended:

• The Saltwater Sauna, Sandbanks

FUTURE OF HOSPITALITY AWARD sponsored by NFU Mutual, Bournemouth

• To be announced on the night

GLAMPING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR sponsored by Anytime Booking

• Dorset Forest Garden Glamping, Beaminster
• Hollands Farmhouse Dorset, Dorchester

HOLIDAY PARK OF THE YEAR sponsored by Tozers

• Durdle Door Holiday Park, Lulworth
• Hoburne Park, Christchurch

HOTEL OF THE YEAR sponsored by Mews

• Captain’s Club Hotel, Christchurch
• The Grange at Oborne, Sherborne
• The King’s Arms, Dorchester
• The PIG – on the Beach, Swanage

Commended:

• Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth
• RNLI College, Poole

LARGE VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Booking.com

• Dorset Museum, Dorchester
• Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park, Poole
• Lighthouse, Poole

NEW TOURISM BUSINESS AWARD sponsored by Visit Dorset

• Coppet Hill Partners, Bridport
• The Bide, Milton Abbas

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO DORSET TOURISM, sponsored by Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Tourism

• To be announced on the night

RESILIENCE AND INNOVATION AWARD sponsored by Saffery Champness

• Bagwell Farm Touring Park, Weymouth
• Lighthouse, Poole

SELF CATERING ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR sponsored by Touch Stay

• Burnbake Forest Lodges & Campsite, Corfe Castle
• Hollands Farmhouse Dorset, Dorchester
• Lulworth Holidays – Woodside Lodge, Lulworth
• The Bide, Milton Abbas

SMALL VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR

• Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park, Verwood
• Museum of East Dorset, Wimborne
• Nothe Fort, Weymouth

TOURISM EVENT / FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR

• Inside Out Dorset 20201 – Activate Performing Arts, Dorchester
• Sherborne Abbey Festival 2022, Sherborne

Commended:

• Christmas 2021 – We are Weymouth (BID), Weymouth

UNSUNG HERO AWARD sponsored by Moors Valley Country Park & Forest

• To be announced on the night

WINNER OF WINNERS sponsored by Dorset LEP

• To be announced on the night