DRESSED in their best, armed with champagne and laughter, the best of the tourism industry have been recognised in the annual Bournemouth Tourism Awards.

Now in its 11th year, the awards were attended by hundreds of guests, dignitaries and supporters to celebrate the winners' achievements.

Des Simmons, director of Bournemouth Tourism Management Board and managing director of Bournecoast Ltd, said: “The Bournemouth Tourism Awards are all about the overall tourism experience, the location, the food, the ambience and, of course, the people who look after the visitors to the area.

"It is also about celebrating and recognising the quality that we have in our tourism industry that attracts over 64 million people to the county. This year the judging was tougher than ever and we congratulate everyone who entered and most especially those who made it into the semi-finals as well as the finalists and winners.

"Tourism is the lifeblood of the area, providing the foundation of which all other business sectors are now flourishing. The 2018 awards will see the Tourism Industry in Bournemouth and Poole work more closely together, and the opportunity for Poole and Bournemouth to become a Tourism 'powerhouse' with a combined annual business turnover of nearly £1 billion, attracting 11 million visitors per year and sustaining over 16,000 jobs.

"Bournemouth and Poole Councils are in the process of agreeing joint management arrangements for Tourism and Seafront which begins this April, and this would not be possible without the leadership and commitment of Industry Representatives from Poole and Bournemouth Tourism Management Boards, Council Leaders and Portfolio Holders, and CEO’s from each of the Borough Councils.”

The winner of the Education Award, sponsored by Bournemouth English Book Centre, was awarded to MLS International College and All Fired Up was awarded the Best Retail Experience Award, presented by Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce.

BH Live was presented with the Green Initiative Award - new to this year - sponsored by Waste Management Facilities and the Transport Delivery Award was given to Morebus - Purbeck Breezer by the Mayor and Mayoress of Bournemouth.

The Afternoon Tea Award, sponsored by Not Just Travel, was presented to Derby Manor Hotel and Coastal BID was awarded the Creative Concept of the Year Award, sponsored by the Daily Echo.

Flirt Cafe and Bar was presented with the Family Eating Experience Award, sponsored by the Town Centre BID and Koh Thai Tapas, Bournemouth, was given the Specialist Dining Experience Award, sponsored by Comax UK.

Bournemouth's Rising Star Award, sponsored by Signature Catering Co, was given to Carl Draper - Waveslider Photography and the Small Hotel Award, sponsored by Berendsen, was given to the Captain's Club Hotel and Spa.

The Bournemouth 7S Festival was awarded the Great Time out Award, sponsored by ROUTEpr, and Binnies was given Bournemouth's Best Breakfast Award, sponsored by Wave 105.

The Large Hotel Award, sponsored by BKB Accountants, was presented to Hilton Bournemouth, and the World Cuisine Award, sponsored by MediaWise and MMediaGroup went to Turtle Bay.

Bournemouth's Best Night Out Award was presented by RT Promotions to Canvas and Rosie Wallace was presented the Unsung Hero Award by Bournemouth Tourism Management Board.

Jackie Phillipson, of Bournemouth Tourism Awards and ROUTEpr, said: “There are a lot of changes planned for the year ahead. The tourism and leisure industry crosses many business sectors and these awards are more important than ever.

"The judges and sponsors have been blown away by the level of entries and of their quality. Equally, we have been impressed by the number of votes within the four judging categories, which have risen substantially this year as the public and the trade embrace these awards.

“Last but not least, a very big thank you to each of the businesses supporting this year’s awards - Comax UK, Berendsen, Waste Management Facilities, Bournemouth Town Centre BID, Wave 105, Bournemouth English Book Centre, Bournemouth Daily Echo, Signature Catering Co., MediaWise, MMediaGroup, Not Just Travel, BKB Accountants, Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce, RT Promotions, Pothecary Gin, Templar Wines, Department of Tourism and Hospitality Bournemouth University, Bournemouth and Poole College, Amica Live and Mai Tai."

The winners and finalists of the 2017 Bournemouth Tourism Awards 

The Education Award - sponsored by Bournemouth English Book Centre

Winner: MLS International College

Finalists:

  • Capital School of English
  • Classroom in the Heart of Industry (CHI) Training
  • Department of Tourism and Hospitality, Bournemouth University •
  • Hengistbury Head Outdoor Centre

Best Retail Experience Award – presented by Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce

Winner: All Fired Up

Finalists:

  • Attico
  • Fab Frocks
  • Nellie Mimosa
  • Westbourne Bookshop

The Green Initiative Award - sponsored by Waste Management Facilities

Winner: BH Live

Finalists:

  • Boscanova
  • Hadland Green Foundation
  • Marvo Mysteries Escape Room Bournemouth
  • RNLI – The Hub

Transport Delivery Award – presented by the Mayor and Mayoress of Bournemouth

Winner: More Bus - Purbeck Breezer

Finalists:

The Afternoon Tea Award - sponsored by Not Just Travel

Winner: Derby Manor Hotel

Finalists:

  • Frieda’s Tea Room
  • Green House Hotel
  • Hotel Miramar
  • Ventana Grand Café - The Cumberland Hotel

The Creative Concept of the Year Award - Sponsored by Bournemouth Daily Echo

Winner: Coastal BID

Finalists:

  • Business Events Bournemouth
  • Conker Spirit
  • Marvo Mysteries Escape Room Bournemouth
  • Science Zone
  • Sustainable Food City

The Family Eating Experience Award - sponsored by Town Centre BID

Winner: Flirt Café and Bar

Finalists:

  • Cosy Club Bournemouth
  • Key West Bar & Grill
  • Koh Thai Tapas Bournemouth
  • Urban Reef Restaurant

The Specialist Dining Experience Award - sponsored by Comax UK

Winner: Koh Thai Tapas Bournemouth

Finalists:

  • Del Marco Pizzeria
  • Nativ
  • Ojo Rojo
  • Renoufs Bournemouth's

Rising Star Award - sponsored by Signature Catering Co.

Winner: Carl Draper - Waveslider Photography

Finalists:

  • Sarah Ali Choudhury
  • Tom Keeping – Keeping & Co.
  • Adam Lynk - Adam Lynk Photography
  • Oliver Newton - Hotel Miramar

The Small Hotel Award - sponsored by Berendsen

Winner: Captain’s Club Hotel & Spa

Finalists:

  • Cliff House Hotel
  • Derby Manor Hotel
  • Lord Bute Hotel
  • Number 9 Wimborne
  • The Grove Hotel

The Great Time Out Award – sponsored by ROUTEpr

Winner: The Bournemouth 7s Festival

Finalists:

  • Bournemouth Jazz Festival
  • Marvo Mysteries Escape Room Bournemouth
  • Oceanarium Bournemouth
  • RockReef and the PierZip
  • The Shake and Stir Vintage Festival

Bournemouth's Best Breakfast Award - sponsored by Wave 105

Winner: Binnies

Finalists:

  • C U Latte
  • English Rose Café
  • Fresh and Tasty
  • The Hungry Wolf Café

The Large Hotel Award – sponsored by BKB Accountants

Winner: Hilton Bournemouth

Finalists:

  • Christchurch Harbour Hotel & Spa
  • Hallmark Hotel Bournemouth Carlton
  • Hotel Miramar
  • Marsham Court Hotel
  • The Cumberland Hotel

The World Cuisine Award - sponsored by MediaWise and MMediaGroup

Winner: Turtle Bay Bournemouth

Finalists:

  • Chicken and Blues
  • Koh Thai Tapas Bournemouth
  • Nativ
  • Noodle Bar Bournemouth
  • Ojo Rojo

The Bar Personality of the Year Award – presented by Templar Wines

Winner: Liam White - Cosy Club

Finalists:

  • Ben Flewitt - Eden Bournemouth
  • Robert Haidau
  • Julezz Towers - Le Chic
  • Tommo Quy – Captain’s Club Hotel and Spa

Bournemouth's Best Night Out Award – presented by RT Promotions

Winner: Canvas

Finalists:

  • 1812 and Bar So
  • Chaplins & The Cellar Bar
  • Coastal Comedy
  • Grosvenor Casino
  • Mai Tai Cocktail Bar

The Unsung Hero Award – presented by Bournemouth Tourism Management Board

Winner: Rosie Wallace

Finalists:

  • David and Jane Bailey
  • Ian Goode
  • Tim Seward
  • Jenni Wilkinson