Somerset Tourism Awards 2013

4th January 2013

Photo by Bob Small.

FOURTEEN categories will form the inaugural Somerset Tourism Business Awards, organisers announced at the end of last year.

The aim of the awards revealed by the Western Daily Press in November/December, is to recognise the ‘excellence and professionalism’ of the county’s 3,000 tourism-related businesses.

John Turner, Vice-chairman of Visit Somerset, said: “Interest in these inaugural awards has already been great and we are expecting a high number of entries when we start accepting them in the New Year.

“These awards, along with the other activities being put together for Somerset, will well and truly place us on the map for destination of choice.

“The awards have been designed to cater for all tourism businesses, large and small and will be a showcase for the county.

“Finalists from each category will celebrate their achievements at a glittering awards ceremony at the Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare on 3rd October.”

The award ceremony will be a black-tie evening with a three course dinner featuring Somerset food and drink as well as after dinner entertainment. 

The award categories are:                

Retail Business Award
For independent retailer who own ten stores or fewer – or have an online store – offering visitors the highest quality products, service and merchandise and/or that communicate the key essence of the region
Download 'Retail Business Award' entry form here (.doc format)

Business Tourism Award
For any sector offering meetings, conferences and exhibitions, offering an innovative product and high standards of facilities designed to meet the needs of customers.
Business Tourism category sponsored by 'The Chartered Institute of Marketing' www.cim.co.uk 
Download 'Business Tourism Award' entry form here (.doc format)

Holiday Park of the Year
For holiday parks with a Visit England or AA 4 or 5 star grading, offering the highest level of quality and customer care, and who have boosted business by making the most of their distinctive appeal.
Download 'Holiday Park of the Year' entry form here (.doc format)

Self Catering Holiday of the Year
Self-catering establishments (including cruise boats) and serviced apartments that offer an excellent standard. Properties must have a current quality assessment from a recognised independent body (eg VisitEngland).
Self Catering category sponsored by 'A Head For PR' www.aheadforpr.co.uk 
Download 'Self Catering Holiday of the Year' entry form here (.doc format)

B&B/Guest Accommodation of the Year
Guest Accommodation, including B&Bs, farmhouses, inns, restaurants with rooms and guesthouses offering a high standard of accommodation. Properties must have a current quality assessment from a recognised independent body 1 to 5* graded properties (eg VisitEngland, AA or a recognised local scheme).
Download 'B&B/Guest Accommodation of the Year' entry form here (.doc format)

Large Hotel of the Year
Hotels, Town House Hotels, Country House Hotels and Metro Hotels with a current quality assessment from a recognised independent body (eg VisitEngland, AA or a recognised local scheme). Over 35 bedrooms
Download 'Large Hotel of the Year' entry form here (.doc format)

Small Hotel of the Year
Hotels, Town House Hotels, Country House Hotels and Metro Hotels with a current quality assessment from a recognised independent body (eg VisitEngland, AA or a recognised local scheme). Less than 50 bedrooms
Download 'Small Hotel of the Year' entry form here (.doc format)

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
For visitor attractions with more than 50,000 visitors per annum, who demonstrate how investments have improved services for visitors through high standards of facilities, interpretation and customer care.
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year category sponsored by First great Western  www.firsttravelsolutions.com
Download 'Large Visitor Attraction of the Year' entry form here (.doc format)

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
For visitor attractions with less than 50,000 visitors per annum, who demonstrate how investments have improved services for visitors through high standards of facilities, interpretation and customer care.
Download 'Small Visitor Attraction of the Year' entry form here (.doc format)

Taste of Somerset Award
For all sectors of the tourism industry (eg, local food producers, farm shops, restaurant’s, pubs and attractions) which produce a quality end product or use local produce to create a taste visitor dining experience.
Download 'Taste of Somerset Award' entry form here (.doc format)

Tourism Experience of The Year
For any tourism business that provides an outstanding and memorable experience, offering attention to detail and concern for the visitors well-being and enjoyment.
Tourism Experience the Year category sponsored by Clarke Willmot www.clarkewillmott.com/
Download 'Tourism Experience of The Year' entry form here (.doc format)

Tourism Event of the Year
For events and festivals which involve large volumes of visitors and timed programme – a one-off happening, or one in a series of annual events with a proven track record.
Download 'Tourism Event of the Year' entry form here (.doc format)

Sustainable Tourism Award
For any tourism business with a proven commitment to sustainability best practice and demonstrating innovation that is having a positive long term impact on the environment and the organisation.
Sustainable Tourism Award category sponsored by Wincanton Print: http://www.wincanton-print.com/
Download 'Sustainable Tourism Award' entry form here (.doc format)

Tourist Information Office Award
Tourist Information providers that are VisitEngland Official Partners or meet the Official Partner criteria, regardless of their size, location, resources or method of delivery of information. The Official Partner programme is open to traditional information centres, as well as alternative electronic and telephone sources of visitor information.
Tourist Information Office Award category sponsored by Berry's Coaches: www.berryscoaches.co.uk/
Download 'Tourist Information Office Award' entry form here (.doc format)

If you have any queries or would like to sponsor the awards please contact john@visitsomerset.co.uk

Closing date for entries is :   Friday 30th August 2013

A few words from our sponsors:

A Head for PR is delighted to be sponsoring the Self Catering category in the new Somerset Tourism Awards.

Managing Director Jane Adkins says, 'The Awards are a fantastic opportunity for tourism businesses to showcase the best of what Somerset has to offer giving them the chance to stand out from the crowd and be recognised for their contribution to the industry.

For many visitors to the region self catering is the obvious choice and by supporting the Somerset Tourism Awards we believe we are encouraging and rewarding those businesses that are striving for excellence in this field.' www.aheadforpr.co.uk

Christine Boswell-Munday regional Director says, “The Chartered Institute of Marketing is pleased to support the Awards and in particular the “Business Tourism Award”  as this provides a great opportunity for organisations to attract  corporate business to Somerset  by offering them  an innovative and  unique service. www.cim.co.uk