DORSET’S £1.5 billion tourism industry will be toasted in style this autumn at the final of the first ever Dorset Tourism Awards.

The Tank Museum in Bovington will provide the setting for the prestigious awards ceremony on October 24. If your business stands out from the crowd you should enter before 5pm on Friday, July 5.

Tourism leaders, past award-winners and sponsors attended the launch event at the award-winning Moreton Tearooms near Dorchester earlier this month.

Awards organiser Robin Barker of Services for Tourism said: “Visits to this year’s Tourism Award websites have been stupendous but tourism is a diverse industry and it can be hard to get the invites out to every potential winner.

“This is especially true of some of the new categories and smaller businesses such as pubs, activity organisers, cafes and garden attractions.

“Interest is high and entries have been flooding in over the last few days but I am confident that the extended deadline for entries will help ensure we attract the best entries.”

The entry deadline for the outstanding customer service award and tourism event categories has been extended until August 30.

Mr Barker added: “Both of these categories relate to why this region is such a great destination to visit and give both visitors and businesses the chance to take into account their experiences over the summer months.”

Chair of Poole Tourism Management Board Bruce Grant-Braham said: “It is very exciting that Dorset’s whole tourism industry will now be recognised with this new award ceremony.”

The awards are free to enter and there are 16 categories to choose from ranging from pub, attraction, B & B, event, activity, hotel, holiday park and self-catering holiday to awards for customer service, access, sustainable tourism and business tourism.

South West winners go on to represent the region at the National Visit England awards. See dorsettourismawards.org.uk