Dorset Tourism Awards

Award Categories

For your information:

We may merge or split categories depending on entries.
We also reserve the right to move an entry into a different category should we consider it a better fit, however we will consult with you before doing this.
Entries will only be accepted from businesses that meet current and relevant Legal and Licensing Compliance. The judges reserve the right to decline an entry if in their opinion this cannot be confirmed.
Individual eligibility criteria for each category is outlined at the start of each entry form
Businesses that serve food must have a minimum food hygiene rating of three out of five. We reserve the right to refuse an application if this minimum requirement is not met at any point prior to the awards ceremony. An exception is made for new businesses who have not yet been graded.
Businesses that have been trading for at least three months and up to two years when applications open are strongly recommended to apply to the New Tourism Business of the Year category before considering applying to any other categories.
Winners in categories marked (VE) below may be selected to represent the area in the national VisitEngland Awards.

Entries must be submitted via the online portal and cannot be accepted via email or any other format. The only exception to this is the Outstanding Contribution Award, for which please see below.

Categories open to individuals and third party nominations
Unsung Hero Award (VE)
Recognises an individual working for a tourism business who excels in their role and deserves to be applauded for their work and commitment to the industry. They will:
- be an individual rather than a team
- nominated by a colleague or by a local awards competition judge
- demonstrate commitment, passion and enthusiasm for their work and the tourism industry, exceeding expectations and inspiring their colleagues.
- work in any area of the business; does not need to be in a customer-facing job role.
- be unlikely to be a business owner or a senior manager.
- or may be new to the tourism industry or have worked in the industry for some time.
Outstanding Contribution to Dorset Tourism Award
This award, which is not always presented, is for an individual, group or organisation that has made a significant contribution to the tourism industry in the area. It could be someone who has represented the region in a voluntary role, a visionary who has effected major change, a sector that supports the industry in some way or perhaps someone who has made a significant difference to large numbers of people working in the industry. This award is open to third party nominations (ie not self-nomination) including nominations from judges, the judging panel and the general public. There are no entry forms for the Outstanding Contribution award; nominations with supporting evidence should be sent via email to awards@services4tourism.co.uk by the closing date
Categories open to specific sectors

Business Events Venue of the Year (VE)
Recognises business events venues that demonstrate an excellent understanding of the market, exceed the expectations of their clients and have a strategic plan for future development within this area, with clear goals.

Tourism Event/Festival of the Year, sponsored by Tomorrow’s Travel
Recognises providers of truly memorable and immersive tourism events and festivals that are making a contribution to the visitor economy with a significant proportion of business generated by people visiting from outside the local area. Events could include festivals, fairs, carnivals, shows or celebrations. They can be paid entry or free but should demonstrate innovation and distinctiveness. The event must take place between 1 Sept 2024 and 31 Aug 2025.

Visitor Information Service of the Year
This award is for any business that provides information about their area to visitors and offers an exceptional standard of service. Entrants will need to demonstrate the provision of information across the wider location rather than being restricted to an individual venue. This should be done through face to face contact as well as utilising social media and information technology but must include responding to individual enquiries rather than just information provision.

Wedding Venue of the Year
Recognises wedding venues that attract visitors to the region and demonstrate an excellent understanding of the market, exceeding the expectations of their clients.
Categories open to all business types

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award (VE)
Recognises tourism businesses that excel in providing an inclusive customer experience, particularly for those with accessibility requirements.

Dog Friendly Business of the Year
Recognises providers of truly memorable experiences for dogs and their human companions.

International Tourism Awards (VE)
Recognises tourism businesses providing unforgettable visitor experiences for international visitors and attention to detail in all areas of the business.

New Tourism Business Award (VE), sponsored by VisitDorset
Recognises high performing new tourism businesses, demonstrating excellent understanding of their market, exceeding the expectations of their customers with clear plans for future development. Businesses must have been trading for a minimum of three months and maximum of two years as at 7 April 2025.

Regenerative Tourism Award (VE), sponsored by Suez
Recognises tourism businesses from across the visitor economy who are truly committed to championing and delivering a regenerative tourism approach to their sustainable actions. Showing clearly how visitors are encouraged to behave in a responsible way throughout their visit or stay.
Accommodation categories

B&B and Guest House of the Year (VE), sponsored by Goadsby
Recognises bed and breakfasts, guest houses, inns with rooms or other similar serviced accommodation businesses that provide fabulous service and create great memories for their guests.

Camping and Caravanning Park of the Year (VE Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park of the Year), sponsored by Anytime Booking
Recognises parks & sites that provide exceptional guest experiences across static vans, tents & touring pitches and more.

Glamping Business of the Year (VE Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park of the Year)
Recognises businesses that provide exceptional guest experiences across glamping sites, shepherd’s huts and more.

Holiday Park of the Year (VE Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park of the Year), sponsored by Tozers
Recognises holiday parks, sites and villages that provide exceptional guest experiences across static vans, touring pitches and more with a wide range of facilities and entertainment making the park self-contained

Large Hotel of the Year (VE), sponsored by Booking.Com
Recognises large full-service hotels that provide exemplary service, a top-quality food offering and a stay that guests will remember for years to come.

Self Catering Accommodation of the Year (VE)
Recognises self catering accommodation businesses that provide the highest quality holidays and help to create fabulous memories for all their guests. This category is for businesses whose main offer is self catering accommodation. A business with multiple properties across different locations is not eligible to apply in its entirety; this includes agencies. However, an application may be completed for a specific location (on a single site) if it is clearly identified within any marketing e.g. website. Large self catering accommodation complexes (e.g. with chalets and lodges) with a range of facilities and activities should apply for the Glamping or Holiday Park of the Year as appropriate.

Small Hotel of the Year (VE)
Recognises small to medium serviced accommodation businesses that offer a fantastic welcome, memorable guest experiences and the highest standards in everything they do. (Usually offers between 12 and 35 bedrooms. However, serviced accommodation businesses with fewer than 12 or more than 35 bedrooms can apply if they consider themselves appropriate for this category).
Experience and attraction categories

Active or Learning Experience of the Year (VE Experience of the Year)
Recognises providers of memorable and immersive activities for visitors to participate in, from cooking masterclasses to woodland nature tours, please note each application must relate to one named experience only.

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year (VE), sponsored by Albert Goodman
Recognises large visitor attractions that provide truly memorable visitor experiences and demonstrate excellence across every aspect of the business.(Attracts 75,000 visitors or more per year or employs more than 10 full-time equivalent members of staff).

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year (VE), sponsored by Resort Dorset
Recognises small visitor attractions that leave visitors with lasting memories and excel in customer service. (Attracts 75,000 visitors or fewer per year or employs 10 or fewer full-time equivalent members of staff).

Spa and Wellbeing Experience of the Year (VE Experience of the Year), sponsored by Agilysys
Recognises providers of memorable and immersive experiences or activities for visitors to participate in. Entries are welcome from spas, yoga breaks, health retreats, etc whether standalone or part of another business, each application must relate to one named experience only.
Food and drink categories

Café/Tearoom of the Year (Taste of England, VE)
Recognises businesses within the tourism industry that offer outstanding cuisine, innovative service and excellence throughout their entire operation. Food service businesses including cafés, tea rooms, coffee shops.

Casual Dining Award (Taste of England, VE)
Recognises businesses within the tourism industry that offer outstanding cuisine, innovative service and excellence throughout their entire operation. Food service businesses including bistro, diner, pizza restaurant, fish and chip restaurant, grill etc.

Pub of the Year (VE)
Recognises pubs that make a significant contribution to tourism in their area, with a food and drink offering that includes quality locally sourced produce.

Restaurant of the Year (Taste of England, VE)
Recognises businesses within the tourism industry that offer outstanding cuisine, innovative service and excellence throughout their entire operation.