Entries have now closed for the Tourism Awards across the South West and organisers have announced a record year for entries, supported by headline sponsors SWW Business, Hoseasons, Bristol Airport and Saffery Champness.
This year’s awards have attracted 645 entries, which is 6% more than in 2016. This includes 180 into the Cornwall awards, 111 into the Bristol, Bath & Somerset Awards, 123 into the Dorset awards and 203 into the Devon Tourism Awards.
All entries are now undergoing a three-stage judging process, starting with examination of entry forms and digital activities, followed by visits from mystery visitors and ending with decisions taken by independent panels. Finalists will begin to be announced from early October with awards events throughout November, the South West finale in February and the national VisitEngland awards in April.
Awards organiser Robin Barker said: “We work hard each year to develop the awards to keep them relevant to the fast-changing world of tourism and are always delighted when our efforts are rewarded with increased entries.
“One of our aims is for the South West to maintain its position as England’s top region for quality, winning more awards than any other region in the national VisitEngland awards; we have achieved this for the last five years and with the quality of this year’s entrants will be endeavouring to do so again.”
Full information on the Awards, including event dates can be found at the award websites:
Bristol, Bath & Somerset – www.somersettourismawards.org.uk
Cornwall Tourism Awards – www.cornwalltourismawards.org.uk
Devon Tourism Awards – www.devontourismawards.org.uk
Dorset Tourism Awards – www.dorsettourismawards.org.uk
South West Tourism Excellence Awards – www.southwesttourismawards.org.uk
