Published: May 11, 2021 | Updated: 11th May 2021
2021/22 Dorset Tourism Awards officially open for entry
The starting gun is fired with the 2021/22 Dorset Tourism Awards now officially…open!
Businesses from across the county are invited to submit their entries – and the sooner the better.
The awards, now in their ninth year, cover all of Dorset, including Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
They offer businesses the chance to win not just locally, but to progress on to the regional South West awards and – for matching categories – the national VisitEngland awards.
The launch comes hot on the heels of the 2020/21 awards, held in what proved to be an extraordinary year for tourism, hospitality and, indeed, the world.
The format had to change several times but generated widespread praise.
Entrants listed the benefits of taking part:
The 2021/22 awards cover the full range of tourism-related businesses including pubs, cafes and restaurants as well as accommodation, wedding and business venues, attractions, events and experiences.
There is a new award for Resilience and Innovation, as well as opportunities to submit entries for unsung heroes, new businesses, dog friendly, accessibility and sustainability.
Awards organiser Robin Barker, pictured right, said: “The last year has highlighted the need for tourism to adapt and innovate, and the same applies to the awards.
“This year sees new categories, new criteria and an extended entry period giving businesses the chance to enter early ‘before the rush’ or to leave it until they have welcomed more visitors if they prefer.
“We so look forward to engaging with everyone once again.”
The awards are free to enter as they are supported by many sponsors and partners.
Deborah Heather, Director of headline sponsors Quality in Tourism, pictured left, said: “From the initial Meet the Finalists event, the team at Quality in Tourism were completely wowed by the Dorset tourism industry in the 2020 Tourism Awards.
“The resilience, creativity and innovation was incredible; truly delivering in the ‘happiness’ industry.
“We were inspired to become the headline sponsor for the 2021 awards and we literally can’t wait to see what these amazing operators do next.”
Full details of the awards are at dorsettourismawards.org.uk
A series of free online workshops is planned to help entrants with the first on May 25.
All entries must be submitted online by 31 August but businesses are advised to start as soon as possible.
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Training centre helps people to get reskilled and back to work
A Pitman Training centre is playing its part in getting people equipped with the skills to get back into work or retrained.
Calum Hales and his family have invested in the Bournemouth and Poole franchise of the company.
Pitman Training was founded in 1837 and is named after Sir Isaac Pitman, the inventor of shorthand.
The centre is based in Pearl Assurance House, Old Christchurch Road.
Students can study on its computers or enrol for online training courses.
It is also used to sit exams and is a fully approved AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) exam centre as well as Amazon approved training provider.
Pitman Training has partnerships with course providers including AAT, CompTIA, BCS, DMI, CileX, City & Guilds and Microsoft.
Calum said: “Due to what has happened in light of Covid we believed it was a great time to invest in the franchise and open our own Pitman Training here in the south.
“With 250-plus courses including bookkeeping, accounting, IT, web design, admin, marketing and more we believe we can help people get retrained and back into work after Covid.”
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Goadsby does the biz with lettings in Bournemouth, Poole and Verwood
Commercial property agents Goadsby has announced several lettings including:
