Start putting the champers on ice!

A total of 54 finalists have been announced for the 2021/22 Dorset Tourism Awards.

They range from hotels, guest houses and restaurants to campsites, cafés and holiday parks.

All are now waiting with eager anticipation for awards day on Thursday February 10.

That’s when they’ll learn whether they’ve won Gold, Silver, Bronze or a Special award.

A further eight receive Commended status.

The ninth year of the competition has seen many tourism businesses coping with ever-changing challenges.

However, organisers say the focus on excellence, innovation and resilience has remained as relevant as ever.

Deborah Heather, of headline sponsors Quality in Tourism, pictured left, said: “The 2021/22 awards in Dorset filled me with happiness and hope.

“The achievements and positivity of the operators was truly ​inspiring.

“I can’t wait to see what they have in store for this year and wish them all the best for 2022.”

Amanda Park, Tourism Development Manager, Visit Dorset, said: “We are delighted to support the awards which celebrate the variety and quality of tourism businesses across Dorset and showcase their hard work and achievements.

“As sponsor of the New Business category it is fantastic to see the industry continue to grow and develop despite the difficulties of the last two years.

“Congratulations to all the finalists and good luck!”

David Bailey, Chair of the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Destination Management Board, pictured right, added: “Congratulations to all the finalists, and I wish them the best of luck in the next stage.

“It is important that we celebrate and acknowledge the quality of our tourism and hospitality offer that makes a significant contribution to the local economy.”

Awards organiser Robin Barker, of Services for Tourism, pictured left, said: “Despite everything that has been thrown at them, the awards once again demonstrate the quality, innovation and resilience of leading tourism businesses.

“Many congratulations to you all.”

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2021/22 DORSET TOURISM AWARDS

FINALISTS & COMMENDED (in alphabetical order)

ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE TOURISM AWARD sponsored by Bournemouth University

• To be announced at the awards.

APPRENTICESHIP SPECIAL AWARD sponsored by NFU Mutual Wessex

• To be announced at the awards

B&B AND GUESTHOUSE OF THE YEAR sponsored by Goadsby

Finalists

• St John’s Guest House, Weymouth
• Channel View Guesthouse, Weymouth

BUSINESS EVENTS & WEDDING VENUE OF THE YEAR sponsored by Furleigh Estate

Finalists

• Highcliffe Castle, Christchurch
• Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth

CAFÉ/TEAROOM OF THE YEAR sponsored by Clipper

Finalists

• EBIKE Café @ Deheers, Weymouth
• Picnic Park Deli, Bournemouth
• Tangerine Café & Gallery, Beaminster

Commended

• Pause Cat Café, Bournemouth

CAMPING & CARAVANNING PARK OF THE YEAR sponsored by Anytime Booking

Finalists

• Higher Moor Farm Campsite, Weymouth
• Monkton Wyld Holiday Park, Charmouth
• South Lytchett Manor Caravan and Camping Park

CASUAL DINING & RESTAURANT AWARD sponsored by Furleigh Estate

Finalists

• Nicetta, Weymouth
• Shalims Indian Restaurant, Weymouth
• The Station Kitchen, Bridport

DOG FRIENDLY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Pear Marketing

Finalists

• Burnbake Campsite and Forest Lodges, Corfe Castle
• Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth

Commended

• Polygon Pets Ltd, Poole

ETHICAL, RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD sponsored by Bournemouth Water

Finalists

• Dorset Forest Garden Glamping, Beaminster
• West Bay Discovery Centre, Bridport

Commended

• Naked Coffee, Bournemouth

EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR (ACTIVE OR LEARNING) sponsored by Saffery Champness

Finalists

• All Hallows’ Farmhouse Cookery School, Wimborne St Giles
• Jurassic Coast Guides, Milborne St Andrew
• Shore Campers – Campervan Hire, Bournemouth

GLAMPING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Finalists

• At Goathill Farm, Sherborne
• Dorset Forest Garden Glamping, Beaminster
• The Yurt at Hollands Farmhouse, Dorchester

HOLIDAY PARK OF THE YEAR sponsored by Tozers

Finalists

• Golden Cap Holiday Park, Chideock
• Highlands End Holiday Park, Bridport
• Waterside Holiday Park & Spa, Weymouth

Commended

• Durdle Door Holiday Park, Lulworth

LARGE HOTEL OF THE YEAR sponsored by Hotel Perfect

Finalists

• Holiday Inn Bournemouth
• Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth
• RNLI College, Poole

Commended

• Moonfleet Manor Hotel, Weymouth

LARGE VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR sponsored by Love To Visit

Finalists

• Dorset Museum, Dorchester
• Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, Ashley Forest

Commended

• Adventure Wonderland, Christchurch

NEW TOURISM BUSINESS AWARD sponsored by Visit Dorset

Finalists

• At Goathill Farm, Sherborne
• Carey’s Secret Garden, Wareham
• The King’s Arms, Dorchester

Commended

Apex Expeditions, Poundbury

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO DORSET TOURISM sponsored by Darren Northeast PR

• To be announced at the awards

PUB OF THE YEAR, sponsored by Dorset Food & Drink

Finalists

• The Acorn Inn, Evershot
• The Cross Keys, Sherborne
• The Grosvenor Arms, Shaftesbury

RESILIENCE AND INNOVATION AWARD sponsored by Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Tourism

Finalists

• Sculpture by the Lakes, Pallington
• Shore Campers – Campervan Hire, Bournemouth
• Weymouth Bay RIB Charter, Weymouth

SELF CATERING ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR sponsored by Touch Stay

Finalists

• Frog by the Sea, Chideock
• Greenwood Grange Holidays, Dorchester
• Spring Cottage, Wareham

SMALL HOTEL OF THE YEAR sponsored by Clockwork Marketing

Finalists

• The Grange at Oborne, Sherborne
• The Grosvenor Arms, Shaftesbury
• The PIG on the Beach, Studland

SMALL VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR sponsored by Resort Dorset

Finalists

• Nothe Fort, Weymouth
• Sculpture by the Lakes, Pallington
• West Bay Discovery Centre, Bridport

Commended

• Bridport Museum Trust, Bridport

TOURISM EVENT / FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR sponsored by Dorset Magazine

• To be announced at the awards

UNSUNG HERO AWARD sponsored by Sculpture by the Lakes

Finalists

• Christine Hughes, Moors Valley Country Park
• Mick Callaghan, Bournemouth Electric Club, Bournemouth

VISITOR INFORMATION SERVICE OF THE YEAR sponsored by Yellow Buses

• To be announced at the awards

WINNER OF WINNERS sponsored by Dorset LEP

• To be announced at the awards

dorsettourismawards.org.uk