Winners celebrate success as results of Bournemouth Tourism Awards revealed

The wait is finally over for the 2017 Bournemouth Tourism Awards. The results were announced at a spectacular gala awards dinner party on 9 March at the Bournemouth International Centre, attended by hundreds of guests, dignitaries and supporters.

This year saw the arrival of the green initiative award and further expansions were made as both the large and small hotel award categories now encompass the whole of the BH postcode area. This saw hotels from Christchurch and Wimborne making it into the coveted finalist positions.

Master of Ceremonies, Chris Jarvis, TV presenter and panto star, has a long-standing affinity with the area, and had the whole crowd laughing. Performances were by gifted local singer song-writer Tara Flanagan, Lee Hayter showed his magic on the keyboard during the drinks reception and The Guilty Pleasures were back by popular demand as the party band at the end of the evening.

Des Simmons director of Bournemouth Tourism Management Board, and managing director of Bournecoast Ltd, said, “The Bournemouth Tourism Awards are all about the overall tourism experience, the location, the food, the ambience and, of course, the people who look after the visitors to the area.” He added that this year the judging was tougher than ever.

The 2018 awards will see the tourism industry in Bournemouth and Poole work more closely together, and the opportunity for Poole and Bournemouth to become a tourism ‘powerhouse’ with a combined annual business turnover of nearly £1 billion, attracting 11 million visitors per year and sustaining over 16,000 jobs.

2017 winners

The Education Award: MLS International College
Best Retail Experience Award: All Fired Up
The Green Initiative Award: BH Live
Transport Delivery Award: More Bus – Purbeck Breezer
The Afternoon Tea Award: Derby Manor Hotel
The Creative Concept of the Year Award: Coastal BID
The Family Eating Experience Award: Flirt Café and Bar
The Specialist Dining Experience Award: Koh Thai Tapas Bournemouth
Bournemouth’s Rising Star Award: Carl Draper – Waveslider Photography
The Small Hotel Award: Captain’s Club Hotel & Spa
The Great Time Out Award: The Bournemouth 7s Festival
Bournemouth’s Best Breakfast Award: Binnies
The Large Hotel Award: Hilton Bournemouth
The World Cuisine Award: Turtle Bay Bournemouth
The Bar Personality of the Year Award: Liam White – Cosy Club
Bournemouth’s Best Night Out Award: Canvas
The Unsung Hero Award: Rosie Wallace