HIGHLANDS End Holiday Park in Bridport has scooped the top prize in the Dorset Tourism Award at the 2013 Dorset Business Awards.

It claimed first prize in the category at the awards ceremony in Poole on November 28, which was organised by the Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry and held in association with the Bridport and Lyme Regis News’s sister papers the Dorset Echo and Daily Echo.

Martin Cox, from Highlands End Holiday Park said: “We were very pleased and proud to receive the award which recognises the commitment of our team at Highlands End Holiday Park and the commitment to the park.

“All our team appreciate the importance of customer service and high standards to ensure that our visitors enjoy their holiday breaks in Dorset and the importance of tourism to the economy of the area.”

After beating competition throughout Dorset for the award, which was co-sponsored by the Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Liz Lean PR, judges praised the park for they way it has adapted to meet modern tourism needs.

Sally Windsor, lead judge in the category, said: “This is the perfect example of a business which has constantly adapted to meet changing market demands, without forgetting that the ‘personal touch’ is still vitally important. Over the past 40 years, the expectations of holidaymakers have changed considerably, and Highlands End has steadily developed to meet these changes.

“For example, it introduced wooden lodges and camping pods this year which has opened up a new customer base for the park.

“Guests with reduced mobility are well cared for; there is plenty to keep children entertained; and dog-owners even have their own ‘dog walking’ field.

“It’s all a far cry from those days when campers shared a field with the animals – but the third generation of this family are still as passionate about the business as their grandparents were 40 years ago.”