A top B&B, visitor attractions and hotels in the Bristol area have been highlighted as some of the best in the West at the annual Excellence in Tourism Awards.

Hundreds of entries for the South West regional round of the award scheme were whittled down to 73 finalists and then 40 "winners", with a further stage coming next month when gold and silver medals will be presented at a ceremony to be held near Bristol.

Among those in line for the medals will be Bob Evans, a steward on the ss Great Britain and its longest serving member of staff.

Known affectionately as Captain Bob, he was named one of the winners in the category of Outstanding Customer Service of the Year.

Deborah Germaine, director of commercial and visitor services at the ss Great Britain, said: "Bob's a valued employee and colleague, a credit to Brunel's ss Great Britain, to Bristol and to the South West.

"He constantly demonstrates outstanding standards in customer care, and goes 'above and beyond' the call of duty as part of his day-to-day work. Private and corporate clients alike frequently write to thank him for his services. He's the perfect host and, in our opinion, highly deserving of the award."

Bristol's Watershed media centre was among the winners in the Business Tourism of the Year section, with Bristol's Mercure Holland House Hotel and the Cadbury House Hotel and Spa at Congresbury, winners in the Large Hotel of the Year category.

The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in Slimbridge was a Large Attraction of the Year finalist, while Fern Cottage B&B in Pucklechurch – South West B&B of the Year in 2006 – was a finalist in the categories of Bed and Breakfast of the Year, Sustainable Tourism of the Year and Taste of the South West. Earlier this year Sue and Pete James, who run the B&B, celebrated their ninth accolade since opening five years ago, with their use of local ingredients in their breakfast menu playing a major role in their success. Sue said: "For such a small family-run business, this is an outstanding achievement, as it is included in a list of impressive winners such as Michelin-awarded restaurants and large corporate hotels."

The awards are given to promote and reward the best in the tourism industry but those in line for medals will have to wait until November 24 before knowing if they have struck gold or silver. Robin Barker, project manager of the South West Tourism awards programme, said: "This year saw tightening of the criteria but we've still seen an increase in entries and further improvements in the quality of service, access, skills and facilities."

Malcolm Bell, chief executive of South West Tourism, which promotes Bristol and the region, said: "The winning businesses have all shown that customer care and training are vital to their success."