The Finalists have been announced for the 2020 Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards after an extended ten-month programme.
The 55 finalists will now have to wait until the online Awards Day on 18 March to learn whether they have won Gold, Silver, Bronze or a Special award. A further seven businesses received Commended status.
The 5th 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 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.”
Awards organiser Nell Barrington added: “It is an understatement to say that the past year has been challenging for the tourism and hospitality industry with many finding themselves in truly desperate situations. We hope that the announcement of this year’s finalists will bring some welcome good news. The judges identified so many businesses who despite their circumstances have innovated, adapted and even reinvented themselves showing true excellence.”
Kathryn Davis, Destination Bristol & Visit Bath, says “During the industry’s most difficult year, we are thrilled to be able to celebrate success. The tourism and hospitality industry is critical to the success of the region and it is so rewarding to be able to take time to recognise the outstanding work of these businesses, giving them a boost ahead of reopening.”
Giles Adams, Visit Somerset, added “Never has there been a more important time to reflect and celebrate the best of our visitor economy businesses who will play such an important part in our recovery.”
Emma Thomasson, Visit Exmoor, commented “Visit Exmoor are delighted to once again sponsor the Bristol, Bath and Somerset tourism awards. Recognising our outstanding tourism businesses in the current climate is more important than ever. We have an outstanding tourism offering to be proud of and our businesses have proved themselves to be robust and resilient, operating at the highest standards in these very challenging times. Congratulations to all the amazing finalists, you have all already proven yourselves to be winners, we wish you the best of luck at the awards!”
For a full list of Finalists and Commended click here or visit www.somersettourismawards.org.uk.
