We're cherishing every bit of good news at the moment - and are delighted to share that today (1 February 2021) we've been named finalists in this year's tourism industry awards for the Bristol, Bath and Somerset area. After a most challenging year for our friends, families, colleagues and guests alike, we're over the moon to have made it to the final three in one of the most hotly-contested categories at the Bristol, Bath & Somerset Tourism Awards 2020/21, sponsored this year by hospitality specialists Clockwork Marketing.
The Self Catering Accommodation of the Year category - sponsored by Quality in Tourism
- recognises self catering accommodation businesses "providing truly memorable guest experiences and demonstrating excellence across every aspect of the business".
Although the news comes amid lockdown and enforced business closures, optimism remains thanks to the latest data from VisitBritain, suggesting that the South West region remains the most popular UK destination for overnight stays when the hospitality sector reopens. Wave 23 of their COVID-19 Consumer Sentiment Tracker (published 22 January 2021) indicates that 22% of respondents are planning to visit the South West between April-June 2021, with Scotland the next most popular destination (19%). Since the tracker was first published in June 2020, the region has consistently been top-spot for the most popular staycation location in the UK.
Adam Powell, owner of The Apartment, Bath said:
"We're absolutely thrilled to have been recognised by the Bristol, Bath & Somerset Awards judges during this exceptional year and are honoured to be flying the flag for Bath in the category of Self Catering Accommodation of the Year. We'd like to thank all of our local partners and guests for their support in recent months and look forward to welcoming many more guests back when we re-open along with the rest of the city and the sector very soon.'
Awards organiser Nell Barrington added:
“It is an understatement to say that the past year has been challenging for the tourism and hospitality industry with many finding themselves in truly desperate situations. We hope that the announcement of this year’s finalists will bring some welcome good news. The judges identified so many businesses who despite the circumstances have innovated, adapted and even reinvented themselves showing true excellence.”
Kathryn Davis, Destination Bristol & Visit Bath, said “During the industry’s most difficult year, we are thrilled to be able to celebrate success. The tourism and hospitality industry is critical to the success of the region and it is so rewarding to be able to take time to recognise the outstanding work of these businesses, giving them a boost ahead of reopening.”
This is the second consecutive year The Apartment, Bath has been recognised at the Bristol, Bath & Somerset Tourism Awards, having last year scooped the Gold Award for New Tourism Business and being commended in the Self Catering category in 2019/20.
We find ourself once again in the esteemed company of other brilliant Bath-based finalists including The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa, Savouring Bath, The Queensberry Hotel & Olive Tree Restaurant, American Museum & Gardens, Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa and THE PIG-near Bath. Finalists will learn whether they've been awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze awards at the online awards ceremony due to take place on 18 March 2021. We wish all finalists and commended businesses the very best of luck - a full list of which has been published today - and look forward to taking a moment to share and reflect on a year like no other for our businesses, our communities and the wider hospitality sector; not to mention the future that lies ahead.