THE finalists have been announced in the Destination Awards – BCP Council’s accolades for tourism and leisure.

Forty-two finalists across 15 categories were revealed at the Lost Paradise Bar in Bournemouth.

The final, called Night of a Thousand Memories, will be compered by Celia Delaney at the BIC on Thursday, March 19.

Craig Mathie, vice chair of the Destination management board, told the finalists and their guests: “We have had a wonderful number of applicants on this, our first year and we would like to thank our wonderful judges who have worked really hard to examine the applications and to visit our shortlisted businesses.

“Only applicants which achieved the highest of scores in their category have been named finalists. But every business, regardless of whether they are finalists, will receive feedback following the awards in March, to help them sustain and improve their business.”

Finalists are listed at bournemouthecho.co.uk/business

David Squire, managing director of headline sponsor Yellow Buses, said: “Yellow Buses is delighted to sponsor the awards, as they fit so perfectly with our own ethos of being completely and absolutely part of our community.”

Tickets to the final cost £75 per person or £700 for a table of 10. Details are at destinationawards.co.uk

Also sponsoring the awards are Expectations Travel, the Marsham Court Hotel, Cameo & Myu Bar, The Lost Paradise and event organiser dbox events.

The finalists are as follows.

Attraction of the Year

• Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf

• Rock Reef & Pier Zip

• The Oceanarium

  • Upton Country Park

• The RNLI College

Large Hotel of the Year

• Marsham Court Hotel

• Hilton Hotel

• Hotel Miramar

• Norfolk Royale Hotel

Events and Cultural Award

• VDub at the pub

• Dorset Moon

• Bournemouth Christmas Festival

• Bournemouth 7s festival

• Stomping on the Quomps

Restaurant or Bistro of the Year

• Urban Garden

• West Beach

• Zim Braai

• Moose Kitchen

• The Green House Hotel

Getting About Award

• PRC Streamline Taxis

• Heathside Travel

Retail Innovation Award

• Otto Print & Coffee House

• Christchurch Confectioner

• Polygon Pets

Night-time Experience Award

• Cameo & Myu Bournemouth

• Salt Co

• Aruba Restaurant & Bar

• Poole Hill Brewery

Digital Transformation Award

• Centre VR

Industry Support Award

• Middleman Solutions

• Business Events Bournemouth

• Event Temps

• Amica Tech

• Harvest Fine Foods

International & Inbound Tourism Award

• Bright School of English

• Surf Steps

Small or Boutique Hotel of the Year

• Urban Beach

• Mory House

• The Green House Hotel

• Captains Club Hotel & Spa

Responsible Ethical & Sustainable Award

• Pause Cat Café

• Poole Hill Brewery

• Wideye

• Urban Reef

Business Tourism Award

• THIS Workspace

• Poseidon Kite School

• Marsham Court Hotel

Unserviced Accommodation of the Year

• South Lytchett Manor

• St Leonards Farm

Café or Tearoom of the Year

• Otto Print & Coffee House

• Compton Acres