Excellence and quality in Poole's Tourism industry was celebrated at The Palms - the prestigious Sibbett Gregory Poole Tourism Awards held at hytes restaurant, Harbour Heights on the 1^st October.

Now in its seventh year, Poole's annual awards ceremony, sponsored by local commercial property agents and surveyors, Sibbett Gregory, hosted over eighty key tourism and business figures to celebrate the high standard and diversity of tourism businesses in the town.

This year the judging panel were faced with some difficult decisions, demonstrating the strength of businesses, organisations and individuals who make a key contribution to the reputation for quality synonymous with Poole.

This year's winners were:

Tourism Development of the Year - Hotel du Vin
Named one of the hottest new hotels in the world by Conde Nast Traveller, Hotel du Vin opened in Poole in September 2008 following a £4.4m refurbishment of the old Mansion House Hotel. With 38 luxurious bedrooms and an 80 seat bistro serving the finest classic European cuisine, the hotel also houses the fabulous La Roche tasting table where the world's finest wines can be sampled. The perfect combination of a great location, with renowned hospitality enhances Poole's existing quality tourism product even further.

Tourism Personality of the Year - Andrew Silver, Managing Director, Banquets Group
Involved with Poole for 40 years, Andrew's passion, dedication and vision has been instrumental in developing the Poole brand and product. In 2003 he invested heavily, transforming an old and dated cafeteria into the fabulous modern and quality restaurant Branksome Beach Café. In 2009 his £1million investment turned Sandbanks Beach Café into a contemporary venue where new dual aspect windows opened up stunning views across Poole Harbour as well as the beach. Complete with new bbq, promotion of local fresh produce and delectable cakes, homemade every day, Andrew's products are enjoyed by visitors and residents alike supporting Poole's drive to be a modern and contemporary quality destination.

Tourism Promotion of the Year - RNLI Open Day 5-6^th September 
The bi-annual RNLI Open weekend based at its Poole headquarters has become a massive family attraction attended by thousands of local residents and overseas visitors. Highlighting the work of the RNLI through spectacular sea survival and rescue demonstrations, lifeboat tours, mobile training units and opportunities to meet the crews and lifeguards, the two day extravaganza provides the chance to see behind the scenes. In addition the new RNLI memorial sculpture, unveiled by the Duke of Kent in September, which pays tribute to all of those who lost their lives at sea whilst saving others, has become a must see attraction, further enhancing Poole's reputation on an international scale.

Green Tourism Initiative - Poole Harbour Trails
Poole Harbour Trails Community Group are a small community group who set up Poole Harbour Trails which are designed to give access to pedestrians and cyclists around Poole Harbour with the ultimate vision of creating a popular open access circular trail for walking, cycling and mobility vehicles. Supported by funds from both Poole and Purbeck local authorities, 6 walks have been published with separate printed leaflets for each. Walks are 7-8 miles long, with start and finish points close to bus stops and a dedicated website providing links to bus timetables for users to plan their journeys.

The 6 trails are:
1 - Poole to Greenlands (near Studland)
2 - Greenlands to Norden Park and Ride
3 - Norden to Wareham
4 - Wareham to Sandford
5 - Sandford to Rockley Point
6 - Rockley Point to Poole Quay

By linking with public transport, this great new initiative gets people out of their cars and experiencing Poole's stunning harbour.

The day also saw two special awards from the sponsors, Sibbett Gregory, presented to individuals whose contributions to tourism are extremely valuable. After more than 42 years at Poole Pottery, Alan White, Master Potter has always been an enthusiastic and valuable asset to both the pottery, town and tourism. Well known for his TV appearances Alan has been referred to as the "Kate Moss" of Poole Pottery. Vivienne Endecott, who runs Ginger Pop, an organisation dedicated to Enid Blyton has shown considerable commitment to the town by opening a new visitor attraction and bringing a touch of "Five go to Poole Quay" to the area.

Jonathan Sibbett, Director at Sibbett Gregory, said: "We are proud to sponsor this event as Poole has a fantastic tourism product and so much to shout about and celebrate. The Palms is a way of rewarding those businesses and individuals who have invested both their enthusiasm and commitment to play their full part in Poole's reputation for excellence."

Bruce Grant-Braham, Chairman of the Poole Tourism Management Board, said: "We may not have had the sun all of the time but there has been plenty of sparkle this year. Poole businesses are leading the way and setting even higher standards that exceed customers expectations year on year. This is no mean feat particularly in the current economic climate and we can never be complacent about just what this level of dedication and investment means for the town in terms of jobs, facilities and reputation which benefit residents and visitors alike."

Pictured, back row left to right: Alan White, Master Potter, Poole Pottery; Neal Butterworth, Editor, Daily Echo; Bruce Grant-Braham, Chairman, Poole Tourism Partnership;Linda Vatcher, RNLI National Exhibition and Event Manager; Jonathan Sibbett, Director, Sibbett Gregory;Andrew Silver, Managing Director, Banquets (Branksome Beach Cafe and Sandbanks Beach Cafe).

Front row left to right: Vivienne Endecott, Eileen Soper's Illustrated Worlds; Bernard Corby, Poole Harbour Trails Community Group; Kelly Scott, Business Development Manager, Hotel du Vin.