The Bath Christmas Market added to its’ growing list of accolades with a Gold win for Tourism Event/Festival of the Year at the recent 2019 Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards.
The prestigious awards, which celebrate businesses showcasing the excellent tourism offer in the region, were hosted by BBC presenter Laura Rawlings, and Bristol-based natural history photographer and film-maker Doug Allan, at the Bristol Marriott City Centre Hotel.
Following the win, Visit Bath’s Head of Events Mick Heath said: “We are extremely honoured to receive such a prestigious award and we are earnestly grateful for the recognition of the hard work and dedication across the city that goes into making Bath Christmas Market a Gold winner.”
This year the awards received a record 142 entries across Somerset, with 82 finalists across 28 award categories, with a further 15 businesses receiving Commended status.
Running until 15th December, this year’s Bath Christmas Market will see more than 150 chalets spread across Bath’s streets.
Over 400,000 people attended last year’s Market, injecting more than £31million into the city’s economy.
2018 also saw an increase in staying visitors with 27% of all market-goers staying for at least one night – the highest percentage recorded.
In 2018, Bath Christmas Market also dedicated one chalet per day to a local charity for the duration of the event, with the 18 charities collectively raising more than £10,000. This year, there are two charity chalets at the Market, meaning that 36 local charities will be able to raise funds and build awareness of their causes.
Following the Bristol Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards, the finalists for the South West Tourism Awards will be announced over the coming months, with the awards ceremony taking place on 6th February 2020 in Exeter Cathedral.
The best of the best will then be selected to represent the South West at the VisitEngland Awards, which will take place on 20th June 2020.
