REVEALED: the finalists in the 2016 Bournemouth Tourism Awards

Judges from the tourism and business trade sifted through hundreds of entries and nominations to select the top companies in each category who have made the prestigious shortlist.

For the first time in the 10-year history of the awards, there was also a public vote which resulted in thousands of extra votes.

The finalists are based in the BH1 to BH11 post code or from outside the area if the business has an impact on tourism in Bournemouth.

Des Simmons, chair of the Bournemouth Tourism Management Board (BTMB) and managing director of Bournecoast Ltd, said: “We are delighted with the response to this year’s awards and it’s never an easy decision finding the top five finalists.

"For the first time we had the four new voting categories, which are nominated and voted for by the public, these categories have been an exciting addition and have been very well received.”

All of the finalists will attend the awards ceremony at the Bournemouth Pavilion theatre on February 25 where the winners of each category will be announced.

The finalists (in alphabetical order):

The Transport Delivery Award sponsored by Powerboats P1

• Claire Vass - Discover Dorset

• Ian Kalra - Getting About, Bournemouth Borough Council

• Jenni Wilkinson - Yellow Buses

• Nikki Honer - Morebus

• Martin Trott - Swanage Railway

The Specialist Dining Experience Award sponsored by Hallmark Hotels

• BH Live

• Koh Lounge on the Beach

• Nativ

• The Larder House

• West Beach

• Zoukinis

The Great Time Out Award – sponsored by South Coast Windows

• Koh Thai Tapas

• Rock Reef – Bournemouth Pier

• Swanage Railway

• SoSBA & Coastal Bid - Wheels Comes to Southbourne 2015

• The Oceanarium

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

• Del Marco coffee / pizzeria

• Nativ

• Pinocchio Restaurant

• Quarters Kitchen and Bar

• Urban Reef Restaurant

Bournemouth’s Best Night Out Award – sponsored by Heineken

• Aruba

• BarSo and 1812

• The Cumberland Hotel

• Ice SKATE Bournemouth

• The Navy Blue Party – Hotel Miramar

The Creative Concept Award – sponsored by Daily Echo

• Bournemouth Emerging Arts Fringe

• Business Events Bournemouth

• BH Live

• Morebus

• Yellow Buses

The Large Hotel Award – sponsored by Real Recruitment Solutions

• Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel

• Marsham Court Hotel

• The Cumberland Hotel

• The Connaught Hotel

• Hotel Miramar

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

• Coriander Restaurant

• Indis

• Kino Lounge

• Koh Thai Tapas Bournemouth

• Nativ

• Tiien Thai

The Education Award – sponsored by Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce

• Bournemouth Chinese School

• BEBC (The Bournemouth English Book Centre)

• The Hospitality and Tourism Academy

The Small Hotel Award – sponsored by Royal Bank of Scotland

• Cliff House Hotel

• The Balincourt

• The Chocolate Boutique Hotel

• The Greenhouse Hotel

• Urban Beach Hotel

The Unsung Hero Award – sponsored by Lester Brunt Wealth Management

• Mark Berry

• Mike Francis MBE

• Theo Lakimov

• Mandy Payne

• Steve Taylor

• Andrew Woodland

And the finalists in the four voting categories are:

The Bar Personality of the Year Award sponsored by Shore Travel

• Trevor Ayling - Renoufs

• Charly Cartwright - Bar So

• Andy Coleman - Maitai Lounge

• James Fowler - The Larder House & The Library Bar

• Jon Nash - The Anvil

The Rising Star Award – sponsored by Purple HR

• Rupert Holloway - Conker Gin

• James Maidment - Canvas

• Brian Robbins - The Cumberland Hotel

• Brett Stewart - Hotel Miramar

• Andrew Thompson - Marsham Court Hotel

The Afternoon Tea Award – sponsored by A One Insurance Group

• Dot.Teas Vintage Tea Boutique

• Hotel Miramar

• The Cottonwood Boutique Hotel

• Ventana Grand Café – The Cumberland Hotel

• Woosters of Westbourne

Bournemouth’s Best Breakfast Award – sponsored by Wave 105

• Binnies Café

• Norwegian Wood

• Little Pickle Deli Café

• The Rumblin Tum Café

• The Hungry Wolf Café

The Retail Experience Award sponsored by Coastal BID

• Beau Bijou

• Bo Concept

• Fab Frocks of Westbourne

• Geo. A. Payne & Son

• Steamer Trading Cookshop