FINALISTS in the 2018 Bournemouth and Poole Tourism Awards (BAPTAS) are revealed today following a record number of entries.

Businesses from across Dorset and the New Forest including Burley, Highcliffe, Swanage, Wareham, Wimborne and Verwood all took part for the first time with over 7,000 votes across the four public vote categories.

Andy Woodland, chairman of Bournemouth and Poole tourism management board, said: “The awards highlight the achievements of the industry professionals that contribute to tourism from across the BH postcode area, and ensures the area is at the pinnacle of the UK tourism destinations.”

The winners will be revealed at a gala dinner on March 15 at Lighthouse Poole. Tickets are priced at £65 per person and can be purchased at bapta.co.uk/buytickets.

The BAPTA 2018 finalists are:

1. The Large Hotel Award – sponsored by Berendsen (Title Sponsor of the 2018 BAPTAs)

Christchurch Harbour Hotel & Spa

Hotel Collingwood

Hotel du Vin & Bistro Poole

Hotel Miramar

Marsham Court Hotel

The Cumberland Hotel

2. The Small Hotel Award – sponsored by County Foods

Captain's Club Hotel & Spa

Lord Bute Hotel

The Green House Hotel

The Orchid Hotel

The Pig – on the beach

Urban Beach Hotel

3. The Transport Delivery Award – presented by ROUTEpr and events Ltd

City Cruises Poole

City Sightseeing Bournemouth

Dorset Cruises

Jetski Safaris

Morebus

Swanage Railway

4. The Specialist Dining Experience Award – sponsored by Fusion Wi-Fi and Westbourne Business Association

Hotel du Vin & Bistro Poole

No.34 Restaurant

The Guildhall Tavern

The Jetty Restaurant

Ventana Grand Café

5. Best Breakfast Award – sponsored by Bournemouth and Poole College

Fresh Edge Café

M's Bakery

The Beach Hut Café

The Paddle Café

Hotel Collingwood

6. Best Retail Experience Award – sponsored by Marsham Court Hotel

Compton Acres

Nellie Mimosa

Titan Leathercraft

Webster Family Butchers

Willow Floristry

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

Activate Indoor Trampoline Park

El Murrino

Marvo Mysteries Escape Room

Pause Cat Café

The Vintage Lounge & Cinema

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

Isabel’s Restaurant

Koh Thai Tapas

Ocean Palace Restaurant

The Guildhall Tavern

Tiien Thai

9. The Self-Catering Accommodation Award – sponsored by Trethowans Solicitors

Bournemouth Beach Lodges

Burnbake Forest Lodges

Home Farm Enterprises

Knaveswell Farm

Rivendell Outdoor Club

Wareham Forest Tourist Park

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

Ivan De La Fuente - Lola's Spanish Tapas Restaurant

James Jakeman - Ventana Grand Café

Tommo Quy - Captain's Club Hotel & Spa

Harley Stevens - Koh Lounge

Danny Vickers – 1812 Lounge Bar

11. Rising Star Award – sponsored by HD Telecom and IT Ltd

Kate Compston - Gin House and Tap House

Lisa Dowdall Sousa - Oceana Hotel Group

Lia Martin - Westbourne Business Association

Andrei Moisa - Hotel Miramar

Prince Ogbuji - Nativ

12. The Family Eating Experience Award – sponsored by Town Centre BID

Brewhouse and Kitchen

Delfino Lounge

El Murrino

Steam Vintage Tea Rooms

Urban Reef

13. The Great Time Out Award – sponsored by Merley House

Bournemouth Metropole Street Market

Farmer Palmer's Farm Park

Go Ape Moors Valley

Lulworth Outdoors

Poole Harbour Boat Show

RockReef and PierZip

14. The Green Initiative Award – sponsored by Waste Management Facilities

Marvo Mysteries Escape Room

Rivendell Outdoor Club

South Lytchett Manor Caravan and Camping Park

Southern Sustainability Partnership

We Do Ethical

Yellow Buses RATP Group

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

Brewhouse and Kitchen - The Academy

Create at the Cove

Immense Air

The Larderhouse

Poole Maritime Festival

Swanage Rep Theatre

16. The Education Award – sponsored by Bournemouth English Book Centre

Bournemouth University International College (BUINTCOL)

CHI Training

Hengistbury Head Outdoor Education Centre

Lulworth Education Service

South West Regional Assessment Centre

White Pepper Chef Academy & Cookery School

17. The Afternoon Tea Award – sponsored by Country Fare

Compton Acres

Hotel Collingwood

Hotel Miramar

The Courtyard Tea Rooms

The Cumberland Hotel

18. Best Night Out Award – sponsored by Eskimo Epos

1812 and Bar So

Canvas Bournemouth

Chaplin's & The Cellar Bar

Coastal Comedy

Mai Tai Cocktail Bar

19. The Unsung Hero Award – sponsored by United Taxis

Paul Dredge

Ian Faulkner

Ian Goode

James Maidment

Jackie Richmond

Des Simmons