The Finalists have been announced for the 2020 Dorset Tourism Awards after an extended ten-month programme.
91 entries were received into the awards, with 60 selected as finalists who are now in suspense until the Awards day scheduled for 4 February, when they will learn whether they have won Gold, Silver, Bronze or a Special award. A further 9 receive Commended status.
The 8th year of the competition has been run in unprecedented times for tourism, but the focus on excellence and feedback for entrants has remained as relevant as ever.
Clare Bushby of headline sponsors Clockwork Marketing says: “The Dorset Tourism Awards are more vital than ever before. They provide normality during a surreal time, where everything seems weighted against hospitality. Equally as important, they give credit—where credit is more than due. Rather than despairing, entrants into this year’s awards have been remarkably inventive when faced with the impact of coronavirus. They have shown, against all the odds, that a pandemic needn’t stand in the way of excellent hospitality. This is in no small part due to their unflinching resolve and unbreakable passion for their industry.
“At Clockwork Marketing, we’re proud to sponsor The Dorset Tourism Awards and have a deep respect for the solidarity they represent. We also salute the admirable businesses taking part. May they enjoy the unbridled success they deserve in the future.”
Chair of the Judging Panel Professor Peter Jones adds his congratulations: “Dorset tourism, like tourism the world over, is demonstrating resilience and fortitude in coping with the impact and implications of Covid-19 in some amazing ways. This year’s entries into the Dorset Tourism Awards are no exception. Entrants demonstrated creativity and innovation, passion for the industry, and enthusiasm in providing a great experience for their customers in the most difficult of circumstances.
“Even with an understandably slightly lower number of entries, the standards remained incredibly high, and all entrants are to be congratulated on their commitment to wanting to demonstrate their successes and to the future of tourism in Dorset. Well done!”
Awards organiser Robin Barker of Services for Tourism added: “The past 10 months have been a challenge for everyone – to survive let alone prosper. Having considered abandoning the Awards I’m so glad we persevered, adapting and changing along the way. The delight we’re witnessing amongst finalists on being told of their success makes it all so worthwhile!”
For a full list of finalists visit www.dorsettourismawards.org.uk/winners
You can follow the Dorset Tourism Awards on Twitter at @DorsetTourAwds, Hash Tag #DorsetTA.
