Dorset LEP sponsors Dorset Tourism Awards

This year’s Dorset Tourism Awards ceremony will take place on 4 February via Zoom this year, with Dorset LEP sponsoring two award categories, including Winner of Winners.

Finn Morgan, Business Engagement and Dorset Gateway Manager for Dorset LEP, said: “The impact of the pandemic on the hospitality and tourism sectors has been significant, with labour demand falling by up to half. Dorset Tourism Awards is a great opportunity to celebrate the resilience and excellence of some of Dorset’s finest tourism businesses.”

Experience of the Year nominee, Shore Campers – a Bournemouth-based campervan hire company, continued to offer relaxation and freedom for holidaymakers when restrictions allowed.

Shore Campers is a family business, run by Stefan and Jane. Jane said: “In spite of the challenging conditions of the past year, we’re pleased to have made peoples' staycation and campervan dreams a reality. It was a real opportunity for our guests to have an adventure and make positive memories during a difficult time. We relaxed our cancellation and postponement policies, introduced social distancing measures and adapted our cleaning processes in response to COVID-19.

“Over the last year we have learnt to be a bit more resilient, adaptable and take nothing for granted. We’re incredibly proud to have been recognised by the Dorset Tourism Awards. We are feeling positive for the year ahead once the situation improves and this lockdown ends, looking forward to enabling many more road trips of a lifetime!”

Jurassic Coast Guides, nominee for International Visitor Experience of the Year category sponsored by Dorset LEP, provides professionally guided walks and tours on our world-renowned coastline.

Martin Curtis, qualified mountain leader behind the Milborne Saint Andrew-based Jurassic Coast Guides, said: “I felt fortunate that I was able to offer outdoor experiences within the guidelines and I was honoured to have key workers book my experiences for some much-needed time out.

“As a business I've learned that I need to adapt to changing situations quickly and be as flexible as possible. My social media platforms have been key to my survival and over the summer months. I've learned that clients are much more conscious when it comes to safety and have been more grateful for added safety measures that I had in place.

“I'm very optimistic about the future of Jurassic Coast Guides. With the explosion of 'staycation holidays' people are now more aware of what the UK has to offer and are favouring outdoor experiences.”

Dorset LEP wishes all nominated finalists’ the best of luck this Thursday 4 February and we will inform you of the winners this Friday 5 February. For a full list of finalists visit the Dorset Tourism Association website.