WEST Dorset businesses are celebrating success at an annual tourism awards ceremony.
A west Dorset a holiday park, a pub and a hotel all claimed the top Gold Award in their respective categories at the Dorset Tourism Awards.
Highlands End Holiday Park at Eype fought off the competition to claim the 'Holiday Park of the Year' and also 'Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award'.
A spokesperson for Highlands End said: "After taking a break last year, we decided to enter the awards again this year, and entered Highlands End into two categories – Holiday Park Of The Year and the Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award.
"We were thrilled to win the Holiday Park Of The Year award again. Despite having won this on numerous occasions before at both Dorset and South West level, nothing is ever taken for granted, and we were over the moon to take home the Gold.
"There are so many incredible holiday parks in Dorset and we are grateful to be up there at the top."
Speaking about the Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award, they added: "This was our first time entering this category, and we weren’t alone in that – during the visit from the judge, we were told that every year sees a significant increase in the number of applicants in this category.
"This shows that the businesses of Dorset have sustainability at the forefront of their minds and we couldn’t be more proud to have won Gold for such an important award.
"We care about our coast and countryside, and our guests do too."
Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, in Evershot, picked up the Gold Award in the 'Small Hotel of the Year' category - and staff were 'absolutely thrilled' after winning for the first time.
General manager James Mackenzie said: "There are some excellent hotels in our area, so it is fantastic to have even been nominated.
"It is testament to the team we have. The dedication they have to taking care of our guests and making them feel so well looked after.
"It's the first time that we have won, we have been finalists a couple of times so this makes it extra special."
The Acorn Inn, also in Evershot, claimed the 'Pub of the Year' award.
The 16th-century coaching inn has picked up the award in previous years and staff were 'delighted' to have again picked up the accolade.
General managers Natalie and Richard Legg said: "We are so delighted to have won as the competition is very tough.
"We are very thankful and have strived to keep up our standards and consistency, as well as looking after the team. The team all do an incredible job of taking care of our guests and this award will mean so much to them."
The Acorn Inn has also been named as a finalist for South West Tourism Awards, which will announce its winners on March 14.
There were also several other businesses that picked up some accolades at the awards ceremony.
Rudge Farm Cottages at Chilcombe picked up a Silver Award for 'Self Catering Accommodation of the Year' and got Bronze for 'New Tourism Business Award'.
Coppet Hill Camping and Glamping, near Broadoak were awarded Bronze in the 'Camping and Caravaning Park of the Year' category and were pleased to have won after only starting out in 2021.
One of the partners at Coppet Hill, Pippa Streatfeild, said: “We are thrilled to have won this award in such a competitive category. We can’t wait to share the news with our team as well as both our local visitors and guests from all around the country and further afield.
"We put so much into making this unique nature friendly business a place our guests want to keep coming back to, and this lets us know we’re going in the right direction.”
Poco Pizza in Lyme Regis also took Bronze in the 'Casual Dining Award', whilst Mellulah Therapy & Yoga Retreat, in Evershot, was given a commendation for the 'Experience of the Year', and The Oyster & Fish House in Lyme Regis also received a commendation in the 'Restaurant of the Year' category.
The 2023/24 ceremony was the biggest in the awards’ 11 year history, with more than 260 guests from a range of businesses and sponsors.
Businesses from across the county gathered at Weymouth Pavilion for the ceremony.
The categories covered an array of tourism-related businesses including accommodation, hospitality and experiences.
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