The best of the Bath area’s tourism businesses have been recognised at the inaugural Bath Events, Hospitality and Tourism Awards (BEHTA).
The 20 winners were presented with their awards in front of an audience of more than 200 industry figures and sponsors at a glittering black tie ceremony at Bath’s historic Assembly Rooms. 
Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa won the large hotel of the year title while the small hotel trophy went to Woolley Grange Hotel & Spa, which also collected the customer service award.
Other winners included No.1 Royal Crescent, which landed the large visitor attraction of the year award, Searcys (celebratory event of the year) and The Abbey Hotel (hospitality experience of the year for its Apres Ski Bar).
Bradford on Avon Tourism won the low cost event solution of the year category for its Festival of Christmas. Clive Bailey of Bailey Balloons collected the outstanding achievement award and David Mead-Male, the Royal Crescent Hotel’s concierge won the judges’ special award. Last September David saved the life of a 67-year-old man who collapsed while walking along the Royal Crescent.
The event was managed by Bath-based FAB! Events Global.
Bath Tourism Plus chief executive Nick Brooks-Sykes said: “All our finalists are deserving of recognition but our winners have demonstrated that they are all the ‘best of the best’ and I congratulate them.
“This wonderful evening would not have been possible without the support of our event partner, Fab! Events, as well as a wide range of sponsors and partners, who have all made an invaluable contribution to the success of this landmark event.
“Tourism is of vital importance to the economic good health of Bath and surrounding area; our finalists and winners are at the forefront of a drive to grow the industry’s current £375m contribution to the visitor economy, which Bath Tourism Plus will proudly continue to lead and develop, through creative partnerships and strategic and ambitious marketing.”
The awards ceremony was hosted by The Breeze FM breakfast show presenters Michelle Owen and Tony Wright with live music from funky four-piece band Pelican Groove after the dinner.
The winners for each category were:
- Large Hotel of the Year – Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa
- Small Hotel of the Year – Woolley Grange Hotel & Spa
- Bed and Breakfast/Guest House of the Year – Villa Magdala
- Self-Catering property of the Year – Bath Boutique Stays
- Small Visitor Attraction of the Year – Prior Park Landscape Garden
- Large Visitor Attraction of the Year – No. 1 Royal Crescent
- Event Venue of the Year – Centre Parcs, Longleat Forest
- Public/Visitor Event of the Year – Bath Festivals
- Celebratory Event of the Year – Searcys
- Hospitality Experience of the Year –The Abbey Hotel
- Low Cost Event Solution of the Year – Bradford on Avon Tourism
- Events Services and Logistics Supplier of the Year – Table Art
- Taste of Bath Award – Hartley Farm Shop & Café
- Visitor Welcome Pub Award – Bath Ales
- Customer Service Award – Woolley Grange Hotel & Spa
- Venue Event Team of the Year – Bath Historic Venues Team
- Best Contribution to the Community/CR initiative – Bath Artisan Market
- Best New Business within the Events, Tourism or Hospitality Industry – Bath Function Rooms
- The Judges Special Award – David Mead-Male
- Outstanding Achievement – Clive Bailey
Winners in many of the categories will now be put forward for the National Tourism Awards 2015.
