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Award Categories

Below are details about each of the award categories.  Please note:

  • 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.
  • 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 all categories will automatically be 'fast-tracked' into corresponding categories of the South West Tourism Excellence Awards. From these, winners in categories marked (VE) below may be selected to represent the area in the national VisitEngland Awards.

All entries must be submitted via the online portal and cannot be accepted via email or any other format.  Click here to create your account to start and submit your online entry; you can save as you work through the form and print if required at any time prior to submitting the final version.  Alternatively, if you prefer to look at a sample form before you start your online application, please click here.

Unsung Hero Award (VE) - Recognises an individual working in any aspect of a tourism business who excels in their role and deserves to be applauded for their work and commitment to the industry, they do not need to be customer facing. It is intended for those who continually go above and beyond, offering exceptional service to visitors. It's not primarily intended for managers or owners, except for those in very small businesses. Nominations may be from another staff member or by our own mystery visitors.

Outstanding Contribution to 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 this award; nominations with supporting evidence should be sent to awards@services4tourism.co.uk

Business Events Venue of the Year - sponsored by Saffery Champness.
Recognises business events venues that demonstrate an excellent understanding of the market, exceeding 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 - Recognises providers of truly memorable and immersive tourism events.  Events should make a contribution to the visitor economy with a significant proportion of business generated by people visiting from outside the local area eg attendance/participation figures likely to be in excess of 5000. Online events are welcome to enter as long as they are able to demonstrate a contribution to the regional economy. The event must take place between 1st Sept 2020 and 31st Aug 2021.

Visitor Information Service of the Year - sponsored by Yellow Buses.
This award is for visitor information providers that offer an exceptional standard of service and appropriate information.  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 - sponsored by Furleigh Estate.
Recognises wedding venues that attract visitors to the region and demonstrate an excellent understanding of the market, exceeding the expectations of their clients.

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award (VE) - Recognises tourism businesses providing truly memorable visitor experiences for everyone, particularly those with accessibility requirements, and demonstrating excellence across every aspect of the business.

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

Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award (VE) - sponsored by Bournemouth Water.
Recognises tourism businesses committed to being sustainable, responsible and ethical in how they operate and interact with customers, the wider community and the environment. 

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.

Resilience & Innovation Award (VE) - sponsored by Coast with the Most.
Recognising businesses within the tourism industry who have demonstrated innovation, resilience and adaptation, along with support for their local communities, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

B&B and Guest House of the Year (VE) - sponsored by Goadsby.
Recognises bed & breakfast and guest house businesses providing truly memorable guest experiences and demonstrating excellence across every aspect of the business.

Camping and Caravanning Park of the Year (VE) -  sponsored by Anytime Booking.
Recognises touring parks providing truly memorable guest experiences and demonstrating excellence across every aspect of the business.  This category is for parks where the main provision is for touring caravans, motor homes and camping with few or no pitches occupied by caravan holiday homes or lodges.

Glamping Business of the Year (VE) - Recognises glamping and alternative accommodation sites providing truly memorable guest experiences and demonstrating excellence across every aspect of the business. This category is for businesses where glamping is the main accommodation offer - not an add-on to a campsite or holiday park.  Sites with yurts, tepees, shepherd’s huts, safari tents and similar should enter this category.

Holiday Park of the Year (VE) - sponsored by Tozers.
Recognises holiday parks and villages providing truly memorable guest experiences and demonstrating excellence across every aspect of the business. For holiday parks, villages and resorts, likely to have a mix of caravan holiday homes, lodges, chalets and touring and camping pitches, as well as leisure facilities and food and drink outlets.

Large Hotel of the Year (VE) - sponsored by Hotel Perfect.
Recognises full service hotels providing truly memorable guest experiences and demonstrating excellence across every aspect of the business. (Offers a minimum of 35 bedrooms. However, a business with fewer than 35 bedrooms can apply if it is a full-service hotel with extensive facilities).

Self Catering Accommodation of the Year (VE) - sponsored by Touch Stay.
Recognises self catering accommodation businesses providing truly memorable guest experiences and demonstrating excellence across every aspect of the business. (Businesses whose main offer is self catering accommodation including cottages, houses, historic properties (or part thereof), holiday boats, barn conversions, hostels, apartments and serviced apartments etc). 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

Small Hotel of the Year (VE) - sponsored by Clockwork Marketing.
Recognises small serviced accommodation businesses providing truly memorable guest experiences and demonstrating excellence across every aspect of the business. (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 of the Year (Active or Learning) (VE) - Recognises providers of truly memorable and immersive active, sporting and learning experiences for visitors to participate in.

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year (VE) - sponsored by Lovetovisit.com.
Recognises large visitor attraction businesses providing truly memorable visitor experiences and demonstrating 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 Marketing.
Recognises small visitor attraction businesses providing truly memorable visitor experiences and demonstrating excellence across every aspect of the business. (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) - Recognises providers of truly memorable and immersive spa and wellbeing experiences for visitors to participate in.  Entries are welcome from spas, yoga breaks, health retreats, etc whether standalone or part of another business. 

Café/Tearoom of the Year - sponsored by ecotone.
Recognises businesses within the tourism industry that offer food, beverage and service innovation and excellence. Food service businesses including cafés, tea rooms, coffee shops.

Casual Dining Award - Recognises businesses within the tourism industry that offer food, beverage and service innovation and excellence. Food service businesses including bistro, diner, pizza restaurant, fish and chip restaurant, grill etc

Pub of the Year - 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 - sponsored by Furleigh Estate.
Recognises businesses within the tourism industry that offer food, beverage and service innovation and excellence. Food service businesses including restaurants, hotel restaurants.

 

 

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