Entries open for the Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards

Who will come out on top at this year's glittering event?

Tourism and hospitality businesses from Bristol Bath and Somerset are also invited to enter themselves for the tourism awards by June 18.

The Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards, supported by Somerset Life, are free to enter and offer a fantastic opportunity for tourism businesses across the county to raise their profile and stand out from the crowd.

Long Hazel Park was a Gold winner at last year’s event Photo: Nick Williams The event has been given its own accolade as it has been accredited as 'Outstanding' by the Awards Trust Mark scheme after going through a rigorous assessment. This gives entrants the confidence that the judging follows a comprehensive scoring matrix, all judges are independent, sign non-disclosure agreements and they are trained and retrained annually.

What many businesses find incredibly useful is the free feedback they receive on their entry from the judges regardless of if they win. Services for Tourism, which runs the awards, is also offering businesses the chance to attend an online workshop.

Applying not only gives businesses a chance to compete locally but winners in some categories could go through to the South West Awards and even the national VisitEngland Awards. In last year’s national event, Bristol, Bath and Somerset winners were a gold for The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa for Large Hotel of the Year, a further gold to the Cotley Inn for Pub of the Year, a Silver to No. 15 by Guesthouse in the Small Hotel category, and Bronze to Savouring Bath for the TXGB Trailblazer Award.

The Middlewick was a Gold winner at last year’s event . Photo: Nick Williams

Here is what some of the 2022/23 entrants said:

'Even after several years of applying for the awards, we find the detailed judges’ feedback useful. Having independent assessment from industry professionals is invaluable – and free! The award ceremonies are an opportunity to meet and network with others from across the industry and celebrate our achievements. Having won an award, it demonstrates to prospective guests the quality we offer, differentiates us from others and helps attract PR.

'It was lovely to have all our hard work, and that of our small team of staff, our ongoing investment and attention to detail recognised by the judges and we are grateful for their invaluable feedback and tips to help us build upon these successes even further in the future.

'We love being involved, it works for us on so many levels, we get to give back, we get to see the best of the best, we get to work with some amazing people and we get our brand out there, there is no down side' Deborah Heather, CEO, Quality in Tourism, sponsor.'

Businesses are encouraged to enter as soon as possible. Entry is online via website somersettourismawards.org.uk

The Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards