Final Chance for Scottish Tourism to Grasp Thistle

Stuart Cordner of Cruise Loch Lomond

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Time is running out for Scottish businesses to enter this year’s Scottish Thistle Awards, a free-to-enter competition that could give tourism companies a much-needed boost in the aftermath of the recession.

Entries for the awards, which are organised by national tourism organisation VisitScotland, will close at midnight on Wednesday, 30 June.

Past recipients of the accolades, which go to Scottish tourism’s highest achievers, have reported that winning a Scottish Thistle Award gives their business a considerable lift.

Last year, Cruise Loch Lomond scooped the coveted Innovation Award for its West Highland Way Rambler Cruise, a venture that has opened up walking routes in the heart of the National Park. The figures for 2009 showed a 100 per cent increase on 2008, with collaboration with local hotels contributing to its success.

Stuart Cordner of Cruise Loch Lomond, said: “It was absolutely tremendous to win a Scottish Thistle Award last year. In partnership with VisitScotland, we help sell Scotland to the world and work towards bringing millions of visitors and billions of pounds to the economy.”
As a previous winner of a Scottish Thistle Award, Cruise Loch Lomond automatically becomes a member of the recently launched Scottish Thistle Award Winners’ Academy, which encourages the industry to share best practice and celebrate success.

Stuart added: “Above all, the Awards inspire excellence, reminding us all to think about how best to raise quality within the sector for the benefit of our visitors, individual tourism businesses and the Scottish tourism industry as a whole. After all, tourism is everyone’s business.” 

 
The Scottish Thistle Awards, which are among the most sought-after accolades in the tourism industry, celebrate quality and innovation across a range of categories. The awards are widely viewed as the official mark of excellence and professionalism, recognising and rewarding excellence in Scotland’s tourism industry in all areas and at all levels.

Jim Mather, Scotland’s Tourism Minister, said: “The last two years have proven that tourism makes a vital contribution to the Scottish economy and has been resilient in the face of recessionary pressures. The Scottish Thistle Awards have played their part in achieving these results for they set the standard for excellence and innovation for tourism businesses across the country and provide the perfect platform to showcase the wide array of quality products and services on offer to the visitor.

 "As such the Thistle Awards bolsters and develops the ongoing commitment from our industry to provide quality, valuable and memorable experiences and therefore keeps Scotland in an excellent position to drive tourism on.”

Mike Cantlay, VisitScotland Chairman and himself a previous Scottish Thistle Award winner, said: “With the continuing challenges of the economic climate, there has never been a better time to take part in the Thistle Awards. Being recognised as the top in the tourism industry brings kudos but winning one of these coveted awards also brings economic benefits so I encourage all tourism businesses to enter for the 2010 awards.”

In total there are 10 award categories, which are designed to span the different elements that help to develop a successful tourism product. Businesses can enter as many categories as are applicable to their individual achievements.
 

• Retail Tourism Award (new)
• Events and Festivals Award (National and International)
• Taste of Scotland Award
• Extra Mile Award (Small, Medium and Large Businesses)
• Innovation Award
• Marketing Initiative Award
• Young Tourism Entrepreneur Award
• Heritage Experience Award (new)
• Sustainable Tourism Award
• Business Tourism Award

The finalists will be announced in August with the overall winners announced at the glittering Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on Friday 29 October.

For further information on the awards and sponsors go to www.scottishthistleawards.co.uk or call the awards hotline on 0131 472 2228 or email [email protected].
 

Valere Tjolle

Valere Tjolle is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite, special offer at: www.travelmole.com/stories/1142003.php