Some of the Bath area’s most innovative tourism businesses will line up in the city’s Apex Hotel tomorrow to compete in this year’s Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards.
Some 84 finalists – ranging from hotels, guest houses and pubs to visitor attractions, walking tours and festivals – have been shortlisted from across a region that spreads from Bath and Bristol and across Somerset to Exmoor.
Challenging for one of the 28 awards up for grabs are the Roman Baths, Bath’s Historic Venues, the University of Bath, Mad Max Tours – which stages small group day tours from Bath – and Battle Archery in Keynsham.
A number of Bath’s top hotels and guest houses are also competing, among the Three Abbey Green guest house, No 15 Great Pulteney Street, the Queensbury Hotel, Gainsborough, Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa and the Apex.
This year’s awards, which are sponsored by Bristol Airport, are more competitive than ever as 30% more companies applied.
Bristol Airport business development director Nigel Scott said: “The high number and quality of entries shows the strength of the visitor economy in Bristol, Bath and Somerset. It also makes the achievement of these fantastic finalists even more special.
“It is no surprise that thousands of overseas tourists visit the West of England every year. We are proud to be the gateway region for this wonderful part of the world.”
Some 84 finalists – ranging from hotels, guest houses and pubs to visitor attractions, walking tours and festivals – have been shortlisted from across a region that spreads from Bristol and Bath across Somerset to Exmoor.
An additional 18 businesses have been highly commended across the 28 categories. Two new special awards have been added this year – The Age UK Somerset Age Friendly Tourism Business and The Bob Smart Learning Experience of the Year.
The awards are judged by a panel of experts who look for evidence not just of ‘good’ but of ‘excellence’.
Organiser Nell Barrington said: “The awards really showcase the diversity of the tourism offering in this area and it is great to give recognition to those businesses that truly go above and beyond to ensure visitors have a great time.”
Tomorrow night’s awards will be hosted by Laura Rawlings of BBC Radio Bristol and former Bath Rugby captain Phil de Glanville.
