The winners of the 2024 Bristol Bath and Somerset (including Wilts and Glos) tourism awards have been announced at a gala dinner at Batch Country House at Lympsham in Somerset.
TV correspondent Ben McGrail announced the sixty five winners who were presented with locally sourced trophies made by Bristol Design Forge. In addition eight businesses were recognised for their commended status. There were two surprise awards. The first to Jon Chamberlin, from VisitWest, for his Outstanding Contribution to Tourism and the second to Wake the Tiger, who after winning gold for new business last year, won Large Visitor Attraction this year and was recognised with a special Winner of Winners Award.
Awards Director Nell Barrington said: “For many it has been a really challenging year but tonight was all about celebration and recognising those businesses who go above and beyond every day to ensure every visitor has a fantastic, truly memorable experience. It is great that they get recognition for all their efforts and my sincere congratulations go to them for everything they do to put Bristol, Bath, Somerset and beyond on the map.”
Giles Adams from VisitSomerset continued: “I am delighted that the core ethos and hard work of Somerset tourism businesses is continuously recognised. Our county is all about authenticity and giving value for money. The awards help to ensure that our consumers understand and value what we all represent by recognising and rewarding our quality offer.”
Kathryn Davis from VisitWest told us: “We are thrilled that so many of our businesses have been rewarded for all their incredible achievements this year with their success at the awards and look forward to seeing some of our winners hopefully progress into the national Visit England for Excellence finals next year. We have so many iconic destinations and world class experiences in the region, it is important to remember to celebrate this, and that tourism doesn’t just happen. It is thanks to the investment, creativity and hard work of these businesses that make our visitor economy so valuable, worth more than £2.5bn just to the West of England. While this sector is largely made up of many small businesses, together they are incredibly powerful and thoroughly deserve the recognition received this evening.”
Details of all the winners can be found HERE.
Photography Credit: Nick Williams
