BOURNEMOUTH, Christchurch and Poole’s greatest in the tourism sector were celebrated during an awards ceremony this week. 

Hosted by Andy Brennan, the evening recognised outstanding contributions to tourism, honouring winners across 18 categories in a chic beach-inspired setting. 

The DMB Tourism Awards, held at the Hilton Hotel in Bournemouth, saw guests welcomed with a lively drinks reception featuring cocktails and prosecco. 

This year’s ceremony saw Jon Weaver, who has run the air festival since it first was introduced, win the Contribution to BCP Tourism award. 

DMB chair Andy Lennox said: “It’s heartening to gather and recognize the work that makes our local area so unique.”  

He also also celebrated recent opening of The Ivy in the Square and the soon-to-come Botanist in Bobby’s as being “exciting steps for the region”.  

The full list of winners is as follows: 

Education (Sponsored by RT Promotions): 

Gold: Bournemouth University 

Silver: Oceanarium 

Responsible, Ethical, and Sustainable Tourism (Sponsored by Waste Management Facilities): 

Gold: Marsham Court Hotel 

Silver: Holiday Inn Bournemouth 

Bronze: Oceanarium 

Nightlife Experience (Sponsored by Alliance South): 

Gold: HSWRK 

Silver: Level 8 Sky Bar and Chaplins Cellar Bar 

Bronze: Salt Co Private Chef & Chocolatier 

Café/Tea Room (Sponsored by BH Area Hospitality Association): 

Gold  (Joint Winners) Picnic Park Deli & The Hutch 

Best Customer Service (Sponsored by Rich Paw): 

Gold: South Lytchett Manor Caravan and Camping Park 

Silver: Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park 

Bronze: Holiday Inn Bournemouth 

Attraction of the Year (Sponsored by Soul Motion): 

Gold: Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park 

Silver: Shaka Surf 

Bronze: Russell-Cotes Museum and Art Gallery 

Business Engagement (Sponsored by Southern Entertainment Services): 

Special Award: Marsham Court Hotel 

Small Hotel (Sponsored by Goadsby): 

Gold: The Kings Arms 

Silver: The Fisherman’s Haunt 

Industry Support (Sponsored by Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce): 

Gold: The Crumbs Project 

Silver: Marsham Court Hotel 

Bronze: Event Temps 

Highly Commended: FJB Hotels 

Rising Star (Sponsored by Fired Up): 

Gold: Severine Seweryn 

Silver: Matthew Bridgen 

Bronze: Carly Jervis Goode 

Eating Out Experience (Sponsored by Comax): 

Gold: Twelve Eatery 

Silver: Chaplins Cellar Bar & Modern Times Restaurant 

Bronze: Puro Gusto 

Self Catering (Sponsored by Andy Brennan Creative): 

Gold: South Lytchett Caravan and Camping Park 

Silver: Hoburne Bashley and Bournecoast -The Penthouse 

Bronze: Riverside Park 

Highly Commended: Bournecoast The Coach House & Bournecoast Dean Park Manor 

Restaurant of the Year (Sponsored by Harvest Fine Foods): 

Gold: (Joint Winners) Thirteen and St Tropez Lounge 

Silver: Neo 

Bronze: Oriel on the Quay 

Large Hotel (Sponsored by The Coffee Bean Company): 

Gold: Hilton Bournemouth 

Silver: Hotel Miramar 

Bronze: Holiday Inn Bournemouth 

Highly Commended: Bournemouth Westcliff Hotel and The Cumberland Hotel 

Event of the Year (Sponsored by Morebus): 

Gold (Joint Winners): Poole Harbour Festival & Shake & Stir Vintage Music Festival 

Silver: Christchurch Food Festival & Highcliffe Food and Arts Festival 

Bronze: Arts by the Sea Festival & Bournemouth Writing Festival 

Tourism Business of the Year (Voting Category Sponsored by More): 

Gold: Poole Harbour Festival 

Silver: Twelve Eatery 

Bronze: Bournemouth Writing Festival 

Contribution to BCP Tourism (Sponsored by Good 2 Know Hospitality/Midas Prosecco): 

Winner: Jon Weaver (presented by David Bailey) 

Team of the Year sponsored by Bournemouth University

Gold: Farmer Palmers Farm Park

Silver: Marsham Court Hotel 

Bronze: Hotel Collingwood & Neo

Highly Commended: The Cumberland Hotel