More than 220 people from the tourism sector in Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and the surrounding area came together last night to celebrate the 19th year of the annual Destination Management Board Tourism awards.

This year’s ceremony, held at the Bournemouth Pavilion Ballroom, took on a carnival theme, with guests arriving to the sounds of samba band Samba Panashe, setting the mood for the ensuing evening.

Before dinner, guests were treated to an opening ceremony keeping in the carnival theme, which was produced and choreographed by this year’s Creative Director Hollie Exton.

Following the food South Coast singer Susie Kimber raised the energy in the room, encouraging everyone to get on their feet and dance, before the commencement of the awards (full results below).

Once the winners were named and the awards were wrapped up it was time for the SKB party band to take over, giving the guests some final entertainment to close the evening.

Vice Chair Andy Lennox said: “The DMB Tourism awards, now in its 19th year, celebrates true excellence in tourism and the businesses that make Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and the surrounding areas a great place to visit, live and work.

“Recognising those business can never be more important than it is today. Amongst a backdrop of so many challenges it is important that we celebrate the industry we all love.

Andy Brennan, the evening’s host, said: “It’s great to be back for a second year hosting these fantastic awards and celebrating the best of tourism in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.”

Tim Seward, who leads the delivery of the awards on behalf of the Destination Management Board for a second year, added: “It’s great to work in the tourism industry and to recognise excellence across our area.

“It has been great to work with sponsors, judges, partners, DMB committee and all those who worked on putting the awards together.

“I want to say a particular thank you to our main sponsor this evening, Morebus.”

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2023 Destination Management Board Tourism Award results

• Takeaway Experience – sponsored BH Area Hospitality Association

Winner – (Gold) The Coffee Cabin & The Lobster Hatch

Silver – Pizza Baracca

Bronze – Harlees Fish & Chips

• Responsible, Ethical & Sustainable – sponsored by Castlepoint

Winner – (Gold)  – Green House Hotel

Silver – Holiday Inn Bournemouth

• Industry Support – sponsored by Bournemouth Chamber of Trade & Commerce

Winner (Gold) – Event Temps

Silver – Harvest Fine Foods

Bronze – Oak Photography

• Cafe/Tea Room – sponsored by Marsham Court Hotel

Winner – (Gold) – Picnic Park Deli

Silver – Riptide Espresso & Records

Bronze  – Pause Cat Cafe

• Business Tourism – sponsored by Bournemouth & Poole College

Winner – (Gold) – Marsham Court Hotel

Silver – Dorset Cruises

Bronze – World of Love Festival

• Eating Out Experience – sponsored by Harvest Fine Foods

Joint Winners – (Gold)  – The Old Thatch & The Jetty

Silver – The Wimborne Pig

Bronze – The Noisy Lobster

• Education – sponsored by Soul Motion

Winner – (Gold) – Good 2 Know Hospitality

Silver – Centre VR

Bronze – 1st Response Training

• Small Hotel – sponsored by Mews

Winner – (Gold) – The Kings Arms

Silver – The Canford Hotel

Bronze – Amarillo Guesthouse

• Transformation & Innovation – sponsored by OCD Productions UK

Winner – (Gold) – Upton Country Park  (Welcome Centre)

Silver – Marsham Court Hotel

• Night Time Experience – sponsored by Good 2 Know hospitality

Winner – (Gold) – The Cellar Bar

Silver – The Thomas Tripp

Bronze – Fez Bar

• Self-Catering – sponsored by Goadsby Hotels & leisure

Winner – (Gold) – South Lytchett Manor Caravan & Camping Park

Joint Silver – Dean Park Manor & The GateHouse

Bronze – The Look out

• Event of the Year – sponsored by Morebus

Winner – (Gold) – Shake & Stir Vintage Music Festival

Joint Silver – Highcliffe Food & Arts Festival  & Christchurch Music Festival

Bronze – Bourne Free

• Attraction of the Year – sponsored by The Coffee Bean Company

Winner – (Gold) –  South Coast Karting

Silver  – City Cruises Poole

Bronze – Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf

• Large Hotel – sponsored by Saffery
  

Winner – (Gold) – Christchurch Harbour Hotel

Silver – The Cumberland Hotel

Bronze – Hotel Miramar

• Team of the Year – sponsored by Event Temps

Joint Winners –  (Gold) – BCP Resort Information Team & Bar So Team

Joint Silver – Hotel Miramar Team & Marsham Court Team

• The Tony Williams Award – sponsored by Lynne Williams

Joint Gold Winners

Alex Drury – Marsham Court Hotel

Charlie Bethell – Bar So

• Rising Star – sponsored by Nativ
  

Winner – (Gold) – Florin Lacatus – Hotel Miramar

Silver – Yannic Kaiser – BAHA Young Ambassador

Bronze – Ben White – Captains Club Hotel

• Lifetime Contribution to BCP Tourism

Winner – Mr Andy Price

• https://www.dmb-tourismawards.co.uk/

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