GALLERY: Winners of this year's BAPTAs awards revealed

Hundreds attended the awards ceremony at Lighthouse, Poole's Centre for the Arts, on Thursday night.

Organisers of the BAPTAs (previously known as the Bournemouth Tourism Awards) say this year's event was, "more competitive than ever", drawing entries across the BH postcode area.

There with 19 categories in total, including two new ones (New Business of the Year Award and the Self-Catering Accommodation Award Category).

The revised BAPTA brand incorporated nominations, a simpler online entry process, a launch video and a PR campaign, combining traditional and digital channels, which organisers say has ensured the prestigious annual awards can continue to grow.

Master of ceremonies, actor and TV presenter Chris Jarvis, compered the smooth running of the evening as the cream of the regional tourism sector, were announced and came forward to receive their awards.

Winner of The Large Hotel Award, sponsored by headline sponsor Berendsen, was The Cumberland Hotel.

Other awards covered dining, hotel and self-catering accommodation, activities, retailer experience, green initiatives, rising stars and bar staff.

Michelle Lessig, regional client manager at Berendsen, said: “We congratulate The Cumberland Hotel and all of the winners and finalists. We are proud and thrilled to be associated with the awards, which this year drew exceptional entries from across the region, including Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, Ferndown, Verwood, Wimborne, Wareham and Swanage.

“Not only do the BAPTAs raise the profile of tourism in Dorset across the BH postcode area, but our worthy winners act as beacons for those who will enter in the future.”

Andy Woodland, chairman of the Bournemouth and Poole tourism management board said: “Many tourism businesses and organisations work together to make the tourism economy so strong in Dorset.

"The variety and standard of entries this year has been incredible. Altogether tourism spend brings in over a £billion in the BH post code area and annually to our local community and represents at least 25 per cent of the areas gross income."

He added: "The judges were impressed by business growth and development, but we must say well done to all entrants, semi-finalists and especially, tonight’s winners.”

The judging process for the BAPTAS includes application assessments, visits and mystery shopping, with four voting categories decided by public vote.

Organiser Jackie Phillipson, co-founder of Routepr, marketing and events, who created the BAPTAs, said: “This is our finest celebration to date. Entrants, sponsors and partners have excelled themselves with their commitment to doing a fantastic and professional job.

"Covering the whole BH postcode area made judging harder, but high calibre entrants show this destination has what it takes to walk the red carpet.

"The value of winning and being a finalist in the awards brings kudos and related publicity, they all deservedly have something to shout about as they return to congratulate their teams and every finalist and winner act as ambassadors for next year too, because they encourage more people to enter."

She added: “The BAPTAs are the foremost event for making regional tourism connections. They celebrate the hard work and dedication which go into creating this award-winning destination.”

The 2018 BAPTA winners are:

The Large Hotel Award – sponsored by Title Sponsor Berendsen

WINNER: The Cumberland Hotel – Bournemouth

FINALISTS:

• Christchurch Harbour Hotel & Spa

• Hotel Collingwood

• Hotel du Vin & Bistro Poole

• Hotel Miramar

• Marsham Court Hotel

The Small Hotel Award – sponsored by County Foods

WINNER: The Pig on the Beach - Studland

FINALISTS:

• Captain's Club Hotel & Spa

• Lord Bute Hotel

• The Green House Hotel

• The Orchid Hotel

• Urban Beach Hotel

The Transport Delivery Award – sponsored by Meridian Air Conditioning

WINNER: Jetski Safaris – Poole

FINALISTS:

• City Cruises Poole

• City Sightseeing Bournemouth

• Dorset Cruises

• Morebus

• Swanage Railway

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

WINNER: The Jetty Restaurant – Christchurch

FINALISTS:

• Hotel du Vin & Bistro Poole

• No.34 Restaurant

• The Guildhall Tavern

• Ventana Grand Café at The Cumberland Hotel

BAPTAs Best Breakfast Award – sponsored by Bournemouth and Poole College

WINNER: The Beach Hut Café – Christchurch

FINALISTS:

• Fresh Edge Café

• Hotel Collingwood

• M's Bakery

• The Paddle Café

Best Retail Experience Award – sponsored by Marsham Court Hotel

WINNER: Titan Leathercraft – Poole

FINALISTS:

• Compton Acres

• Nellie Mimosa

• Titan Leathercraft

• Willow Floristry

• Webster Family Butchers

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

WINNER: Pause Cat Café – Bournemouth

FINALISTS:

• Activate Indoor Trampoline Park

• El Murrino

• Marvo Mysteries Escape Room

• The Vintage Lounge & Cinema

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

WINNERS: Ocean Palace Restaurant Poole & Tiien Thai – Bournemouth and Broadstone

FINALISTS:

• Isabel's Restaurant

• Koh Thai Tapas

• The Guildhall Tavern

Self-catering Accommodation Award – sponsored by Trethowans Solicitors

WINNER: Burnbake Forest Lodges – Wareham

FINALISTS:

• Bournemouth Beach Lodges

• Home Farm Enterprises

• Knaveswell Farm

• Rivendell Outdoor Club

• Wareham Forest Tourist Park

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

WINNER: Ivan De La Fuente - Lola's Spanish Tapas Restaurant – Bournemouth

FINALISTS:

• James Jakeman - Ventana Grand Café at The Cumberland Hotel

• Tommo Quy - Captains Club Hotel & Spa

• Harley Stevens - Koh Lounge

• Danny Vickers - 1812 Lounge Bar and Restaurant

BAPTAs Rising Star Award – sponsored by HD Telecom and IT Ltd

WINNER: Prince Ogbuji – Nativ – Bournemouth

FINALISTS:

Kate Compston - Gin House and Tap House

Lisa Dowdall-Sousa - Oceana Hotel Collection

Lia Martin - Westbourne Business Association

Andrei Moisa - Hotel Miramar

The Family Eating Experience Award – sponsored by Town Centre BID

WINNER: El Murrino – Bournemouth

FINALISTS:

• Brewhouse and Kitchen

• Delfino Lounge

• Steam Vintage Tea Rooms

• Urban Reef

The Great Time Out Award – sponsored by Merley House

WINNER: Farmer Palmer's Farm Park – Poole

FINALISTS:

• Bournemouth Metropole Street Market

• Go Ape Moors Valley

• Lulworth Outdoors

• Poole Harbour Boat Show

• RockReef and PierZip

The Green Initiative Award – sponsored by Waste Management Facilities

WINNER: Rivendell Outdoor Club – Wimborne

FINALISTS:

• Marvo Mysteries Escape Room

• South Lytchett Manor Caravan and Camping Park

• The Southern Sustainability Partnership Limited

• We Do Ethical

• Yellow Buses RATP Group

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

WINNER: The Larder House – Southbourne

FINALISTS:

• Brewhouse and Kitchen - The Academy

• Create at the Cove

• Immense Air

• Poole Maritime Festival

• Swanage Rep Theatre

The Unsung Hero Award – sponsored by United Taxis

JOINT WINNERS: Des Simmons - Bournecoast and Bournemouth Tourism Management Board and Jackie Richmond - Lemur Landings - Poole

FINALISTS:

Paul Dredge – Bournemouth and Poole Tourism Management Board

Ian Faulkner - Wimborne BID

Ian Goode - A Goode Experience

James Maidment - Canvas Bournemouth

The Education Award – sponsored by Bournemouth English Book Centre

WINNER: White Pepper Chef Academy & Cookery School – Lytchett

FINALISTS:

• Bournemouth University International College (BUINTCOL)

• CHI Training

• Hengistbury Head Outdoor Education Centre

• Lulworth Education Service

• South West Regional Assessment Centre

The Afternoon Tea Award – sponsored by Country Fare

WINNER: Hotel Miramar – Bournemouth

FINALISTS:

• Compton Acres

• Hotel Collingwood

• The Courtyard Tea Rooms ?

• The Cumberland Hotel

BAPTAs Best Night Out Award – sponsored by Eskimo Epos

WINNER: Chaplin's & The Cellar Bar – Boscombe

FINALISTS:

• 1812 Lounge Bar and Restaurant

• Canvas Bournemouth

• Coastal Comedy

• Mai Tai Cocktail Bar