140 business leaders and students from the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Bournemouth University and Bournemouth and Poole College gathered together for the launch of the 11th Bournemouth Tourism Awards!
The 2016 Bournemouth Tourism Awards were coined as Bournemouth’s business event of the year and the 11th year is all set to be better than ever. The launch staged in the brand new Fusion Building atBournemouth University saw Dignitaries, VIPs, sponsors, past winners and finalists, rub shoulders and network alongside business leaders, students and lecturers as they gathered together on 21st September 2016 to launch the Bournemouth Tourism Awards. The awards celebrate the achievements of local businesses and their contribution to beautiful Bournemouth and the surrounding towns.
The Awards kicked off with a spectacular launch event in the new Fusion Building at Bournemouth University. Guests were welcomed to The Bournemouth University by students studying tourism and hospitality, whilst Bournemouth and Poole College Catering and Hospitality students created mouth-watering canapes washed down with award winning Pothecary Gin and tonics, superb wines or soft drinks.
The Mayor of Bournemouth Councillor Edward Coope and Mayoress Mrs Janet Coope, Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress of Christchurch Cllr Nicholas Geary and Mrs Gillian Geary, The Chairman of East Dorset District Council Cllr David Shortell and Elizabeth Shortell and Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress of Wimborne Minster Cllr Terry Wheeler & Mrs Pauline Wheeler were all in attendance to support the Launch event.
The sponsors and partners already on board, supporting the 2017 awards include; Berendsen,Bournemouth English Book Centre, Comax UK, Signature Catering Co., Waste Management Facilities,Pothecary Gin, Templar Wines, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth and Poole College. Returning sponsors and partners include The Bournemouth Daily Echo, Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce, The Bournemouth Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID), Wave 105, Amica Live,Grizzly and Bournecoast.
Said Des Simmons, Chairman of Bournemouth Tourism Management Board (BTMB) and Managing Director of Bournecoast Ltd. “The Bournemouth Tourism Awards were a huge success in 2016 and we need your support to ensure the 2017 awards are better than ever. The forthcoming awards offer the chance for the hotels outside of Bournemouth to enter, so, Christchurch, Poole, Wimborne and other areas in the BH post code can now enter for the first time EVER as we recognise that many visitors come to Bournemouth and help the economy but stay in areas away from the beach or the town.
The awards are there to give businesses and individuals the recognition they so deserve and celebrate those who go the extra mile and offer a world class experience. The awards are for businesses and for individuals and help you to build on YOUR successes. I hope that we will have as much, if not more support for the awards again this year.”
Said Jackie Phillipson Co-Founder of ROUTEpr the company responsible for the awards said, “The Awards are a great chance for businesses to shine. You can be nominated or you can enter yourselves. When you enter the awards it gives you a chance to take a look at your business and showcase your areas of excellence and expertise. Winning or being a finalist delivers great PR and kudos for your staff and suppliers, and showcases your credibility and generates positive PR. The awards are staged thanks to the support of the sponsors and partners, they offer a chance to celebrate in style, as well as develop business opportunities and network. This year, we are delighted to be working with the students, they will give a new purpose and dimension to the awards, as the future of the tourism and hospitality industry.”
The Bournemouth Tourism Awards are now open for nominations and for entries. Take a look at our Gallery for more photos of the evening.
