Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Award winners

We are delighted to announce the Finalists for the 2021/22 Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards.  They will now have to wait until the online Awards Day on 17 February to learn whether they have won Gold, Silver, Bronze or a Special award.  A further two businesses received Commended status.

The 6th 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.

Kathryn Davis, Visit West, says “Congratulations to all finalists in the Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards, and we are thrilled to see so many Visit West members featured.  In what has been another exceptionally difficult year for the industry, the quality of the experience in the region has only increased and our business community should be applauded for their resilience and innovation.  We’re looking forward to the finals next month to discover who will be representing the area in the wider South West Awards.”

Visit West Member winners

Photo - Homewood, Bath

Bath

• Bath Insider Tours - Tour of Bath - GOLD in Experience of the Year (Active or Learning)
• Homewood - GOLD in Dog Friendly Business of the Year and COMMENDED Small Hotel of the Year
• Hotel Indigo Bath - BRONZE in New Tourism Business Award
• Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa - GOLD in Wedding Venue of the Year and Spa & Wellbeing Experience of the Year, SILVER in Dog Friendly Business of the Year and Large Hotel of the Year
• Mad Max Tours - SILVER in Experience of the Year (Active or Learning)
• No.1 Royal Crescent - GOLD in Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
• No.15 by GuestHouse, Bath - GOLD in Small Hotel of the Year, SILVER in Spa & Wellbeing Experience of the Year
• The Herschel Museum of Astronomy, Bath Preservation Trust - SILVER in Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
• The Olive Tree Restaurant - GOLD in Restaurant of the Year
• The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa - GOLD in Large Hotel of the Year
• The Scallop Shell - GOLD in Casual Dining Award

Photo - Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

Bristol

• Breaking Bread - SILVER in Resilience and Innovation Award
• Bristol International Balloon Fiesta - GOLD in Tourism Event/Festival of the Year
• Bristol Zoological Society - SPECIAL AWARD for Outstanding Contribution to BBS Tourism (see more below)
• The Coconut Tree, Glos Road - SILVER in Casual Dining Award

Photo - WWT Slimbridge

Gloucesetershire

• WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre - GOLD in Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award and SILVER in Large Visitor Attraction of the Year

Photo - Paula Takle of Noah's Ark Zoo Farm

North Somerset

• Noah's Ark Zoo Farm - GOLD in Large Visitor Attraction of the Year and SPECIAL AWARD for 'Winner of Winners'
• Paula Takle, Noah's Ark Zoo Farm - SILVER in Unsung Hero Award
   

Photo - Golden Tamarind at Bristol Zoo Gardens

Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award

Last year, Bristol Zoo Gardens it celebrated its 185th Birthday, and this summer will be its last in its Clifton home.

Founded by Henry Riley, a local physician, Bristol Zoo Gardens, was designed to facilitate ‘the observation of habits, form, and structure of the animal kingdom, as well as affording rational amusement and recreation to the visitors of the neighbourhood’.

This unique mix of science, learning and fun, has inspired families, animal-lovers and conservationists alike – it is estimated that an astounding 90 million people have visited. It has contributed to quality of life and education, and delivered significant economic value, enriching the tourism sector as a whole.  Successive leaders of Bristol Zoo Gardens have continued to support tourism in the region, and played a major part in establishing the Bristol Tourism & Conference Bureau, the forerunner of what is now Visit West.

While this year is the end of one chapter, it is also the start of a new one. The Society will close Clifton’s Bristol Zoo Gardens, and its Wild Place Project will continue until it becomes a new world-class Bristol Zoo with conservation and sustainability at its heart.