ORGANISERS of this year’s Bournemouth Tourism Awards have reported a record number of entries.

The event celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and semi-finalists gathered to receive their certificate.

Hundreds of nominations and entries were received ahead of the closing date at midnight on Monday, January 11, and thousands of votes were received for the four new voting categories.

The awards celebrate the successes and achievements and are open to any business which has been trading for 12 months or more, based in the BH1 to BH11 post code areas, or a business which has an impact on tourism in Bournemouth.

Des Simmons, chair of the Bournemouth Tourism Management Board and managing director of Bournecoast Ltd, said: “We are delighted with the response to this year’s awards.

“For the first time we have four new voting categories, which are nominated and voted for by the public. They have been an exciting addition and have been very well received which just goes to show how important these awards are to Bournemouth.”

The semi-finalists were all invited to receive their framed certificates at Canvas Bournemouth in front of a buzzing crowd of two hundred peers, sponsors and partners.

The finals will be held at Bournemouth’s Pavilion Theatre on Thursday, February 25, 6.30-11.30pm.

The Transport Delivery Award sponsored by P1 Powerboats

  • Morebus
  • Indigo Travel
  • Swanage Railway
  • Getting About
  • Discover Dorset
  • Michael White
  • Yellow Buses

The Specialist Dining Experience sponsored by Hallmark Hotels

  • The Larder House
  • West Beach
  • The Arbour Restaurant – Greenhouse Hotel
  • Ventana Grand Café
  • The Highcliffe Grill
  • BH Live
  • Koh Lounge
  • Zoukinis
  • The Crab
  • The Bournemouth Steak House
  • Restaurant Hops
  • Nativ

The Retail Experience Award sponsored by The Coastal BID

  • Fab Frocks
  • All Fired Up Ceramics
  • Steamer Trading Cook Shop
  • Geo. A. Payne and Son Jewellers
  • Nellie Mimosa
  • Brownen Road Garage
  • Camden Bar
  • Bo Concept
  • Aphrodite
  • Beau Bijou

The Great Time Out – sponsored by South Coast Windows

  • Swanage Railway
  • Rock Reef and Pier Zip
  • SosBA
  • All Fired Up
  • Koh Lounge
  • The Oceanarium
  • Chaplins Cellar Bar
  • Michael White

The Family Eating Out Experience – sponsored by the Town Centre BID

  • La Gondola
  • Key West
  • Del Marco’s
  • Nativ
  • Urban Reef
  • Ask
  • Chez Fred
  • Quarters
  • Binnies Café
  • Pinocchio

Bournemouth’s Best Night Out – sponsored by Heineken

  • The Navy Blue Party – The Miramar Hotel
  • BarSo and 1812
  • The Cumberland Hotel
  • The Winchester
  • Coastal Comedy
  • The Wight Bear Alehouse
  • Smokin Aces
  • The Firkin Shed
  • Ice SKATE Bournemouth
  • Aruba

The Creative Concept – sponsored by The DAILY Echo

  • Big Love from Bournemouth
  • Morebus
  • Yellow Buses
  • Waveslider Photography
  • All Fired Up Ceramics
  • BEAF
  • Gem Freeman Jewellery
  • Business Events Bournemouth
  • BH Live Catering

The Large Hotel Award – sponsored by Real Recruitment Solutions

  • The Miramar Hotel
  • The Connaught Hotel
  • Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel
  • The Cumberland Hotel
  • The Norfolk Hotel
  • The Trouville Hotel
  • The Devere Village Hotel
  • The Wessex Hotel
  • The Whitehall Hotel
  • The Marsham Court Hotel

The World Cuisine Award – sponsored by Sandown Mercedes Benz of Poole

  • Coriander
  • Nativ
  • Tiien Thai
  • Koh Thai
  • Indi’s 
  • Keno Lounge
  • The Mandarin

The Education Award – sponsored by Bournemouth Chamber of Commerce

  • The Bournemouth English Book Centre
  • Kingsleigh Primary School
  • ETC International College
  • The Hospitality and Tourism Academy
  • Bournemouth Chinese School

The Small Hotel Award – sponsored by Royal Bank of Scotland

  • The Balincourt Hotel
  • Urban Beach Hotel
  • The Greenhouse Hotel
  • The Chocolate Boutique Hotel
  • The Cottonwood Boutique Hotel
  • The Cliff House Hotel
  • The Grove Hotel
  • The Rosscourt Hotel

The Unsung Hero – sponsored by Lester Brunt Wealth Management

  • Mike Francis MBE
  • Christopher Kelu
  • Mark Berry
  • Simon Scarborough
  • Mandy Payne
  • Gary Ellaway
  • Steve Taylor
  • Andrew Woodland
  • Tim Seward
  • Theo Lakimov

The Bar Personality sponsored by Shore Travel

  • Jon Nash – The Anvil
  • James Fowler – The Larder House
  • Charly Cartwright – Bar So
  • Andy Coleman – Maitai Lounge
  • CJ Chambers – 1812 Lounge Bar
  • Trevor Ayling – Renoufs
  • Julezz Towers – Le Chic
  • Gemma Terry – Smoking Aces
  • Chris Dowell – Le Chic
  • Robert Haidau – The Cliff House Hotel

The Rising Star – sponsored by Purple HR  

  • Tom Kendal - The Cotton Wood Hotel
  • Tim Seward -The Cliff House Hotel
  • Rupert Holloway - Conker Gin
  •  Brett Stewart - The Miramar Hotel
  • Brian Robbins - The Cumberland
  • James Maidment - Canvas
  • Andy Thompson - The Marsham Court Hotel

The Afternoon Tea Award – sponsored by A One Insurance Group

  • The Living Room
  • Frida’s Tea Room
  • The Greenhouse Hotel
  • The Norfolk Hotel
  • The Cliff House Hotel
  • Woosters
  • The Miramar Hotel
  • The Cottonwood Boutique Hotel
  • Dot Teas Vintage Tea Boutique
  • Ventana Grand Café

Bournemouth’s Best Breakfast – sponsored by Wave 105

  • The Argyll Café
  • English Rose Café
  • Olive Café Bistro
  • The Hungry Wolf Café
  • Norwegian Wood
  • The Little Pickle Deli Café
  • Rumblin Tums Café
  • Urban Reef
  • Binnies Café
  • The Living Room