THE spotlight shone on the front runners of this year's Bournemouth and Poole Tourism Awards on Tuesday evening.

Semi-finalists were revealed at a special invitation-only event at Bournemouth and Poole College.

Entrants have passed a vigorous judging process which includes application assessments, a judging panel, visits and mystery shopping. The four voting categories were decided by public vote. All of the evidence has been verified by an independent judging panel.

The BAPTAs, in association with Berendsen (previously known as the Bournemouth Tourism Awards), have been more competitive than ever with tourism businesses entering from across the whole of the BH post code area. BAPTAS 2018 consists of 19 categories.

Michelle Lessig, Regional Client Manager at Berendsen, Headline Sponsor of the BAPTAs, said: "We're proud to be associated with the awards, the standard of entries has been really high and impressive. We’ve had entries from all across the region including Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, Ferndown, Wimborne, Wareham and Swanage. The awards raise the profile of tourism in Dorset across the BH post code area and that is vital for the delivery of the overall visitor experience. Congratulations to all of the semi-finalists."

Jackie Phillipson, Founder of ROUTEpr who manages and created the BAPTAs said: "The tourism awards are vital in recognising and celebrating the hard work and dedication that goes into creating this award-winning destination."

All winners will be announced at a Final Gala Dinner Ceremony on March 15 at Lighthouse, Poole. Tickets can be purchased via www.bapta.co.uk/tickets. For more information go to www.bapta.co.uk.

2018 BAPTA Semi-finalists revealed:

The Large Hotel Award – sponsored by Title Sponsor Berendsen

• Christchurch Harbour Hotel & Spa

• Hallmark Hotel Bournemouth Carlton

• Hilton Hotel Bournemouth

• Hotel Collingwood

• Hotel du Vin & Bistro

• Hotel Miramar

• Marsham Court Hotel

RNLI College

• The Cumberland Hotel

The Small Hotel Award – sponsored by County Foods

• All Hallows Farmhouse

• Captains Club Hotel & Spa

• Les Bouviers

• Limestone Hotel

• THE PIG – on the Beach

• The Greenhouse Hotel

• Lord Bute Hotel

• The Orchid Hotel

• Tiien Boutique Hotel

• Urban Beach Hotel

Transport Delivery Award – presented by ROUTEpr

• BCH Executive Travel

• City Cruises Poole

• City Sightseeing Bournemouth

• Dorset Cruises

• Drivve Me

• Jetski Safaris

• Morebus

• Poole Boat Hire

• PRC Streamline Taxis

• Swanage Railway

Yellow Buses RATP Group

The Specialist Dining Experience Award – sponsored by Fusion Wifi and Westbourne Business Association

• Beach House Cafe

• Brewhouse and Kitchen Bournemouth

• Chaplin's & The Cellar Bar

• Hotel du Vin & Bistro

• Molecular Magic Creative Catering

• No.34 Restaurant

• Ojo Rojo

• The Guildhall Tavern

• The Jetty Restaurant

• Ventana Grand Café

BAPTAs Best Breakfast Award – sponsored by Bournemouth and Poole College

• AUB Refectory

• C U Latte

• Delfino Lounge

• Framptons

• Fresh Edge Café

• M's Bakery

• Noisy Lobster Avon Beach

• The Beach Hut Café

• The Cumberland Hotel

• The Paddle Café

• Hotel Collingwood

Best Retail Experience Award – sponsored by Marsham Court Hotel

• Compton Acres

• Dorset Chilli Shop

• Gem Freeman Jewellery

• Le Petit Prince Patisserie

• Nellie Mimosa

• Purbeck Artisan Yard

• Seasons Green

Southbourne Ales

• Titan Leathercraft

• Webster Family Butchers

• Willow Floristry

New Business of the Year Award – sponsored by South West Regional Assessment Centre

• Activate Indoor Trampoline Park

• Brewhouse and Kitchen Bournemouth

• El Murrino

• Ginjams

• Marvo Mysteries Escape Room Bournemouth

• Oasis Fun Bournemouth

• Pause Cat Café

• Renoufs Cheese and Wine Bar

• Science Zone UK

• The Vintage Lounge & Cinema

• The Wood Oven

The International Cuisine Experience Award – sponsored by Poole Audi’s Feast Magazine

• Aruba Restaurant & Bar

• Hotel du Vin Poole

• Isabel’s Restaurant

• Koh Thai Tapas

• Lola’s Homemade Tapas Restaurant

• Nativ

• Ocean Palace Restaurant

• Ojo Rojo

• Pinocchio

• The Guildhall Tavern

• Tiien Thai

Self-catering Accommodation Award – sponsored by Trethowans Solicitors

• Bournecoast

• Dorset Cottage Holidays

• Home Farm Enterprises

• Bournemouth Beach Lodges

• Burnbake Forest Lodges

• Knaveswell Farm

• Mountain Cottage Yurts

• Rivendale Outdoor Club

• Rockley Park

• Rumsey Holiday homes

• Wareham Forest Tourist Park

The Bar Personality of the Year Award – sponsored by Meridian Lifts

• Andy Hardy - A&D Mobile Bars

• Chris Dowell - Le Chic

• Chris Gardner - Be At One Bournemouth

• Danny Vickers - 1812

• Harley Stevens - Koh Lounge

• Ivan De La Fuente - Lola's Spanish Tapas Restaurant

• James Jakeman - Ventana Café

• Liam White - Cosy Club

• Rob Lambert - Be At One Bournemouth

• Tommo Quy - Captain's Club Hotel & Spa

BAPTAs Rising Star Award – sponsored by HD Telecom and IT

• Adam Jackson - Hot Radio and Bournemouth Town

• Alexander Keith – Cosy Club Bournemouth

• Andrei Moisa - Hotel Miramar

• Ethan Youel - 1812

• Jon Morgan - Dorset Cruises

• Kate Compston - Gin House and Tap House

• Lia Martin - Westbourne Business Association

• Lisa Dowdall Sousa - Oceana Hotels

• Mike Bryant - Be At One Bournemouth

• Prince Ogbuji - Nativ

• Sarah Ali Choudhury

The Family Eating Experience Award – sponsored by Town Centre BID

• Banana Wharf

• Brewhouse and Kitchen

• Delfino Lounge

• El Murrino

• Koh Thai Tapas

• Steam Vintage Tea Rooms

• The Boathouse

• The Greyhound Inn

• The Noisy Lobster

• Urban Reef

The Great Time Out Award – sponsored by Merley House

• Bournemouth Metropole Street Market

• Dorset Seafood Festival

• Durlston Country Park and National Nature Reserve

• Farmer Palmer's Farm Park

• Go Ape Moors Valley

• Lulworth Outdoors

Monkey World

Poole Harbour Boat Show

• RockReef and PierZip

• South Coast Karting

• The Original Shake & Stir Vintage Festival

The Green Initiative Award – sponsored by Waste Management Facilities

• Be At One Bournemouth

• Drivve me

• Marvo Mysteries Escape Room

• Pause Cat Café

• Rivendale Outdoor Club

• Science Zone

• South Lytchett Manor Caravan and Camping Park

• The Southern Sustainability Partnership Limited

• Upton Country Park

• We Do Ethical

• Yellow Buses RATP Group

The Creative Concept of the Year Award – sponsored by Oceana Hotel Group

• Ambassadeur Art Gallery & Bournemouth Tourism - SPIDER MAN

• Aruba Restaurant & Bar

• Brewhouse and Kitchen - The Academy

• Create at the Cove

• Dorset Cruises

• Immense Air

• Larderhouse

• Marvo Mysteries Escape Room

• Poole Maritime Festival

• Swanage Rep Theatre

The Unsung Hero Award – sponsored by United Taxis

• Des Simmons

• Ian Faulkner

• Ian Goode

• Jackie Richmond

• James Maidment

• Mark Berry

• Michele O'brien

• Paul Dredge

• Tim Seward

The Education Award – sponsored by Bournemouth English Book Centre

Bournemouth University International College

• Capital School of English

• Cavendish School of English

• CHI Training

• Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park

• Hengistbury Head Outdoor Education Centre

• Lulworth Education Service

• MLS International College

• South West Regional Assessment Centre

• Tourism and Hospitality Department - Bournemouth and Poole College

• White Pepper Chef Academy & Cookery School

The Afternoon Tea Award – sponsored by Country Fare

• Christchurch Harbour Hotel & Spa

• Compton Acres

• Frieda’s Tea Room

Haskins Garden Centre

• Hotel Miramar

• Hotel Collingwood

• Marsham Court Hotel

• The Courtyard Tea Rooms ?

• The Cumberland Hotel

• The Greenhouse Hotel

BAPTAs Best Night Out Award – sponsored by Eskimo Epos

• 1812 and Bar So

• Be At One Bournemouth

• BH Live

• Canvas Bournemouth

• Carl’s Comedy Club

• Chaplin's & The Cellar Bar

• Coastal Comedy

• Koh Lounge

• Mai Tai Cocktail Bar

• Smokin’ Aces