Award winning celebrations at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm

....and just a month to go to enter this year's awards - see more.

The 2021/22 Bristol Bath and Somerset Tourism awards culminated in a celebration last night (Tuesday 17 May) kindly hosted by Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm in Wraxall. 

Nearly a hundred of last year’s winners and sponsors explored the zoo, celebrated and collected their handmade trophies, made by Shakspeare Glass in Langport.  Refreshments were generously supplied by Noah’s Ark and local businesses Bradleys, Thatchers, Aldwick Estate Vineyard and Granny Gothards Ice cream.

Rhian Gunstone from Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm said “We were delighted to host this party for the 2021 Awards winners. It is wonderful to be able to celebrate our fantastic region and all the tourism businesses and passionate individuals who make the area such an exciting place to visit! We are incredibly proud to have won the gold award for Large Visitor Attraction of the year as well as the Winner of Winners award showing the hard work and dedication of every member of our team. Congratulations to all of the other winners who make this area so special!”

Deborah Heather from headline sponsor Quality in Tourism said “the culmination of the Bristol Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards at the award-winning Noah's Ark seems entirely appropriate, what a wonderful way to network and celebrate another exceptional year in the sector, and the fabulous businesses in the area”.

Nell Barrington, Awards Director said “it was brilliant to be able to meet the winners face to face and get real feedback about what the awards mean to them.  I heard that they really appreciate the constructive feedback given, for free, by our independent judges that helps them to improve and develop.  And that winning also helps attract more visitors, as well as offering a chance to recognise their achievements and staff in an industry that has so many challenges and works so hard to ensure everyone who comes to the county have memorable experiences”.

Award winners also donated incredibly generous raffle prizes to raise £440 for local charity Age UK Somerset, sponsor of the Age Friendly Award.

The 2022 Bristol Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards are open for entries and close at midnight on 19 June, leaving just a month for those working in tourism and hospitality in the county to get their entries in.

The awards are free to take part, with awards for accommodation, experiences, attractions, food and drink, age friendly, dog friendly, visitor information, unsung heroes and many more.

A series of free online workshops have proved very popular and sold out so an additional session has been added on 24 May to help businesses compile their entries.  This can be booked through the website.

Tourism and hospitality businesses that operate in Bristol, Bath and Somerset can enter as many categories as they are eligible for here www.somersettourismawards.org.uk as long as it is before 19 June.  Those that are in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire (except South Gloucestershire) should enter direct into the South West awards, unless they are members of Bristol or Bath or Somerset Destination Management Organisations.

For more information contact Nell Barrington awards@somersettourismawards.org.uk

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