Winners announced 2020/21
Virtual Celebrations at the 2020/21 Beautiful South Awards
On the 4th March the Beautiful South Awards, took place virtually celebrating the cream of the South East’s tourism industry. 63 businesses and tourism professionals received Gold, Silver or Bronze awarded over a day of ceremonies. Despite the unprecedented year, the show did go on.
Run by Tourism South East in partnership with Services for Tourism Ltd, the Awards recognise achievements in the tourism industry over the past year. The Grand Brighton, along with representatives from sponsors Anytime Booking, Brighton & Hove City Council, Clockwork Marketing, Fallow and Fields, Forthglade, Hoogly Tea, Hotel Perfect, Jarrang, Quality in Tourism, Saffery Champness, Stanlake Park Wine Estate, Tozers, Welcome to Excellence and WorldPay joined Tourism South East to recognise the difficult circumstances and the incredible lengths South East tourism businesses have gone to.
In a notable change this year judges elected to award all 12 nominees for the Unsung Hero Awards, recognising the incredible contribution each candidate had achieved. The highly topical categories of Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Gold award went to Stubcroft Farm Campsite West Sussex, who also scooped Gold for best Campsite and Holiday Park, and the Accessible and Inclusive tourism award went to Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium in Hampshire.
British Airways i360 in Brighton and Fishers Adventure Farm Park both scooped Gold in the Large Attraction category. New to the awards, Steamship Shieldhall in Southampton won Goldin the Small Visitor Attraction category Worthy winner of the popular Glamping Gold was Kits Coty Glamping, taking Gold for best Campsite was and the Blue Anchor in Crowborough, East Sussex were crowned Tourism Pub of the Year. Action Watersports brought home Gold for Kent and the gold awards for Spa and Wellbeing Experience went to Donnington Valley, Hotel and Spa in Berkshire. The New Tourism Business award went to The Courtyard and The Hedgerow at Winhill in Oxfordshire.
Goodwood Estate won Gold for Best Wedding venue, and Hotel of the Year saw joint winners with Oakley Hall Hotel in Hampshire and The Gallivant in East Sussex. Whilst the Gold award for Self-Catering Accommodation found its way to The Riverside Lodge in Hampshire. Not forgetting the Dog Friendly Business of the Year, awarded to Chiltern Open Air Museum in Buckinghamshire.
Fran Downton, Chief Executive of Tourism South East, said, “Congratulations to all our finalists. Achieving excellence is not easy, particularly in the year we have just navigated. All the finalists can be extremely proud of what they have achieved. I was blown away by the quality, positivity, and innovation of the tourism businesses we have across the South East. Many of the winners are truly world class. I am extremely grateful to the sponsors and voluntary judges who make the Awards possible. Thank you also to my co-host and headline sponsor, Andrew from the Grand Brighton, who ensured that although we could not be there in person, all our finalists were extended a warm welcome. We look forward to celebrating with our winners and working alongside them as they lead the way in a year of recovery”.
Andrew Mosley, Headline sponsor, The Grand Brighton said “What a line up! Huge congratulations to all of the winners and nominees, we’re sure these awards are made even sweeter after a year of such highs and lows. It’s a pleasure to be part of such a positive celebration amongst many friends and colleagues within the hospitality industry. Here’s to 2021 and continuing to support our industry, celebrate successes and help each other bounce back bigger and better than ever.”
A full list all winners can be viewed here.
If you have any questions about the Beautiful South Tourism Awards please email awards@beautifulsouthawards.co.uk and do follow us on twitter @BStourismawards #BSTA20, facebook and instagram for the latest news.
