Awards handed out for Bristol's top tourist attractions

BRISTOL tourist attractions were honoured at a special ceremony held in the city on Monday night.

Winners in the tourism awards included the At-Bristol science centre which won with the Sustainable Tourism Award, Pieminister which won the Taste of Bristol Award, Bristol Zoo Gardens and The Grand Pier, Weston-super-Mare, for Large Tourism Attraction of the Year, and Alveston House Hotel which was recognised for Small Hotel of the Year.

 The event was organised by Destination Bristol and Sounds Commercial and was supported by Bristol Marriott Hotels. The awards not only celebrate business excellence within the tourism and hospitality industry, but also recognise individuals and teams for their contribution towards the city's reputation as a key visitor and business destination.

For the first time, the local retail sector took part in the awards this year. Businesses within Bristol Shopping Quarter, which includes Broadmead, The Galleries and Cabot Circus, were shortlisted for two prestigious awards for high levels of customer service.

 A total of seventeen awards were sponsored by supporters of the tourism and hospitality industry, and nearly 200 entries were made. The winners were announced at a gala dinner at the Bristol Marriott City Centre Hotel attended by 300 representatives from businesses across the industry.

The sell-out event was presented by Ian Downs, 'Downsy', who hosts That Morning Thing on Bristol's 106 JACK fm and also volunteers as a tour guide on the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

 The winners of many of the categories will now go on to represent Bristol in the VisitEngland Awards taking place later this year.

Kathryn Davis, Commercial Services Manager at Destination Bristol, said: "This is a fantastic result for so many tourism and hospitality businesses in Bristol and the surrounding areas.

 "We are thrilled that a high number of organisations and individuals took time to enter the awards and support this initiative. The success of this event was made possible by the support of Sounds Commercial, the Bristol Marriott Hotels and all the sponsors who give up so much of their own time to make this happen."

The full list of winners for the awards is:

Bed and Breakfast / Guest Accommodation of the Year • Fern Cottage B&B, Pucklechurch

Small Hotel of The Year • Alveston House Hotel

Large Hotel of the Year – sponsored by Sounds Commercial • The Bristol Hotel - A Member of the Doyle Collection • Bristol Marriott Royal

Sustainable Tourism Award – sponsored by BusinessWest • At-Bristol science centre

Business Tourism Award – sponsored by N-Gaged Training • Aztec Hotel & Spa

Taste of Bristol Award – sponsored by Destination Bristol • Pieminister

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year – sponsored by SACO serviced apartments • Bristol Zoo Gardens • The Grand Pier, Weston-super-Mare Tourism

Experience of the Year sponsored by Pear Communication • Bristol Zoo – Wow Gorillas • See No Evil

 Pub of the Year sponsored by Bristol Marriott Hotels • Pony and Trap, Chew Magna

Access for All • Noah's Ark Zoo Farm Self-Catering /

Serviced Apartments of the Year • SACO Bristol Broad Quay

The following awards are in recognition of the role of retailers in Bristol and awards for customer service.

Individual Customer Service of the Year – Hospitality • Ramada Bristol City Hotel, Keith Andrew Attractions

Team of the Year • At Bristol, 'In the Zone' Production Crew

 Individual Customer Service of the Year – Attractions • Bristol City Sightseeing, Warwick Hulme Hospitality

Team of the Year • Bristol Marriott City Centre Hotel, Events team Details to be confirmed for the following awards:

 Best salesperson from an Independent Store – sponsored by Bristol Shopping Quarter • Kitt Bellamy, Greetings Galore

 Best salesperson from a National Multiple, sponsored by Bristol Shopping Quarter • Geraldine Skyrme, Specsavers