Outer Hebrides tourism urged to grab Thistles ‘Opportunity’

VisitScotland’s Islands Manager in the Outer Hebrides is urging the region’s tourism businesses to grab the opportunity to enter the Scottish Thistle Awards this year. MaryAnn MacIver says that the Outer Hebrides have a great deal to offer in the way of world class visitor experiences, but that the islands need to blow their own trumpet more when it comes to talking up their achievements.

“Furthering his career”

“There are many fantastic visitor experiences throughout the Outer Hebrides, from top quality accommodation to fine dining, from events to guided tours, and it’s time we spoke up about them. The Scottish Thistle Awards represent an opportunity for tourism businesses in the Outer Hebrides to be recognised amongst their peers on a national level and I urge groups, businesses and individuals involved in tourism throughout the islands to enter.”

Rhoda Campbell, Owner of Blue Reef Self Catering Cottages in Harris, which won a Thistle Award for Customer Care in 2006, and was a Thistle Award ‘Innovation’ finalist in 2005, agrees: “Winning the Thistle Award was a great boost for Blue Reef Cottages. Aside from all the publicity, which helped to raise our profile, it was very rewarding to have our hard work recognised on a national scale. The Thistle Awards provide the perfect platform for achieving national recognition and I would encourage tourism businesses across the Outer Hebrides to enter – after all, entry is free so they’ve nothing to lose!”

VisitScotland’s newly appointed Chairman, Dr Mike Cantlay, is another former Thistle Award winner, an achievement he feels has played a pivotal role in getting him where he is today. 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.

“Scottish Thistle Awards”

“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.”

Now in their 19^th year, 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.

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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