Grasp the Thistle get the Opportunity says New Chairman
Saturday, 24 May, 2010
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See Video: http://www.travelmole.tv/watch_vdo.php?sid=&id=15373
The new chairman of VisitScotland has revealed that winning a Scottish Thistle Award played a pivotal role in getting him where he is today.
Dr Mike Cantlay, who took the role with the country’s national tourism organisation in April, urged businesses to take part in this year’s showcase tourism awards.
Now a successful businessman and convener of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and Authority, a destination which attracts millions of visitors, Dr Cantlay said that scooping the Young Manager of the Year accolade at the inaugural Scottish Thistle Awards ceremony was vital in furthering his career.
“I am very proud of the fact I have won a Scottish Thistle Award – I think it’s a magnificent institution,” said Dr Cantlay, who was 28 when he picked up the honour back in 1992.
“Winning the award was a real catalyst in terms of meeting other people within the industry and building up my confidence. It also helped to inspire their confidence in me.”
Within a year of winning the award, Dr Cantlay had bought celebrated kiltmaker Hector Russell, which operated 17 stores throughout Scotland and went on to expand into Canada and the USA.
His long association with the tourism industry goes back to when he was six, helping out at his parents’ drapers shop in Callendar.
At the time of winning his Scottish Thistle Award, Dr Cantlay had founded The Whisky Shop Group, which has since gone on to become a world’s specialist whisky retailer, and his aptitude for business impressed judges.
Dr Cantlay praised the Scottish Thistle Awards for encouraging his entrepreneurial spirit.
“The night itself is a very special occasion and I think it’s something that everyone involved in the Scottish tourism industry – whether they are bed and breakfast owners or boat tour operators – should enter.
“The fact that submitting entries is free is welcome news for companies in what is still a tough economic climate. Speaking from my own experience, winning a Scottish Thistle Award can give your business an enormous boost in terms of profile and revenue. That being the case, businesses have nothing to lose and everything to gain from taking part.”
Launched in 1992, the much sought-after Scottish Thistle Awards are widely viewed as the official mark of excellence within the Scottish tourism industry, celebrating quality and innovation across a range of categories.
In total there are ten 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.
Categories (sponsors) as follows:
- Retail Tourism Award (new) (Bank of Scotland Merchant Services)
- Events and Festivals Award (EventScotland)
- Taste of Scotland Award (Barr’s Originals)
- Extra Mile Award (Small, Medium and Large Businesses) (VisitScotland Quality & Standards)
- Innovation Award (Scottish Enterprise)
- Marketing Initiative Award (VisitBritain)
- Young Tourism Entrepreneur Award (Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust with support from The Moffat Charitable Trust)
- Heritage Experience Award (new) (Historic Scotland)
- Sustainable Tourism Award (Scottish Natural Heritage)
- Business Tourism Award (VisitScotland Business Tourism Unit)
Entries for this year’s Scottish Thistle Awards close on Wednesday 30 June. The ceremony takes place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on Friday 29 October.
For further information or to enter, visit www.scottishthistleawards.co.uk
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