HOSPITALITY businesses regarded as the best in Dorset are progressing to the next stage of a prestigious contest featuring firms from across the south west.

The winners of the 10th Dorset Tourism Awards for 2022/23 were revealed at a glitzy ceremony at the Tank Museum near Wareham in January.

Now, successful companies have advanced to be recognised at the South West England Tourism Excellence Awards.

A Dorchester museum, a B&B and food and drink favourite in Weymouth and holiday parks in Chickerell and Lulworth are among those nominated for the excellence awards.

An awards ceremony for this contest will be held on Thursday, March 23 at the Eden Project in Cornwall.

Tourism businesses across Dorset are now hoping to come away with accolades at the black tie event next month, featuring 90 companies from the region.

Businesses in the west and east of the county are also among the finalists. 

Firms will also be hoping to advance even further to the national VisitEngland awards, where they will be up against fellow companies from across the whole country.

Robin Barker, director of services for Tourism Ltd, which manages the awards, said: “I am so looking forward to celebrating with the region’s best.

"To continue innovating, being ever more sustainable, and delighting customers at the same time as overcoming so much adversity is a real testament to their passion and commitment. Many congratulations to them all.”

The Dorset tourism businesses which are finalists or commended at the South West England Tourism Excellence Awards are listed below:

ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE TOURISM AWARD (Sponsored by Soundview Media)

Finalists:

Dorset Museum, Dorchester

B&B AND GUESTHOUSE OF THE YEAR (Sponsored by Tourism Exchange GB)

Finalists:

The Brunswick Bed and Breakfast, Weymouth

BUSINESS EVENTS VENUE OF THE YEAR (Sponsored by Wildanet)

Finalists:

Dorset Museum, Dorchester

Lighthouse, Poole

Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth

CAFÉ AND TEAROOM OF THE YEAR

Finalists:

Picnic Park Deli, Bournemouth

Taste Café at Dorset Museum, Dorchester

CAMPING AND CARAVANNING PARK OF THE YEAR (Sponsored by Anytime Booking)

Finalists:

Monkton Wyld Holiday Park, Charmouth

Commended:

Longthorns Farm, Wareham

CASUAL DINING AWARD

Finalists:

Renoufs Cheese and Wine Bar, Wimborne

Commended:

The Dorset Burger Company, Weymouth

ETHICAL, RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD (Sponsored by The Eco Laundry)

Finalists:

The Grange at Oborne, Sherborne

EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR (Sponsored by Beyonk)

Finalists:

Get Lost Powerboat Training, Poole

HOLIDAY PARK OF THE YEAR (Sponsored by Tozers) 

Finalists:

Durdle Door Holiday Park, Lulworth

LARGE VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR

Finalists:

Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park, Poole

RESILIENCE AND INNOVATION AWARD (Sponsored by Plymouth Business School)

Finalists:

Bagwell Farm Touring Park, Chickerell

Lighthouse, Poole

SMALL HOTEL OF THE YEAR (Sponsored by pkf Francis Clark)

Finalists:

Captain’s Club Hotel, Christchurch

The PIG-on the Beach, Swanage

SMALL VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR (Sponsored by Big Wave)

Finalists:

Museum of East Dorset, Wimborne

TOURISM EVENT / FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR (Sponsored by Kerra’s Catering)

Finalists:

Inside Out Dorset 2021 – Activate Performing Arts, Dorchester

Sherborne Abbey Festival 2022, Sherborne

UNSUNG HERO AWARD (Sponsored by Quality in Tourism)

Mary Pidgley, Birchcroft – Hideaway, Bournemouth