HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS TOURISM ‘OSCARS’ OPEN FOR ENTRIES

Entries open today (Fri) for the 2015 Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards, with the competition for the coveted piper trophy fiercer than ever.

Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop officially launched the annual contest during a visit to Inverness and declared her support for the awards which celebrate and reward the very best tourism businesses and individuals in the Highlands and Islands.

Ms Hyslop said: “The Highlands and Islands of Scotland are famous throughout the world for their beauty, history and hospitality.

“International interest in Scotland has never been higher and people all over the world are now coming to see our country for themselves.

“I’m delighted to launch these awards, which recognise the people and organisations who make visitors’ dreams a reality day after day, and show Scotland at its very best.”

The awards are free to enter and businesses or individuals can put themselves forward for recognition or be nominated in 15 categories. Visitors and peer nomination groups are being encouraged to propose businesses they feel deserve an honour, although success will not be based on the number of nominations made.

The categories have developed and evolved each year, acknowledging industry feedback and reflecting the most important factors for the growth and sustainability of tourism within the region.

The event will culminate in a grand ceremony at the Drumossie Hotel in Inverness on 13 November.

The HITA Awards is an industry-led scheme representing all sectors of tourism. It is overseen by a voluntary board of directors who, with the judging panel, have more than 450 years of tourism industry experience.

The independent judging panel is drawn from experienced industry professionals working across the region.

Marina Huggett, Chair of HITA, said: “The awards highlight the range of talent we have in the tourism industry in this area.

They reward those who strive to provide excellent service and to enhance the visitor experience.

“It is free to enter so I would encourage businesses to put themselves forward for recognition and visitors to nominate those they think have gone the extra mile this year.”

“Standards and levels of innovation are improving all the time so I expect each category to be fiercely fought and judging to be extremely difficult.”

The categories are –

Most Hospitable Hotel

Most Hospitable B&B/Guest House

Best Holiday Accommodation

Best Informal Eating Experience

Best Restaurant Experience

Friendliest Pub/Bar

Best Event or Festival

Best Outdoor/Adventure Experience

Tourism Everyone’s Business (open to community tourism destination management organisations, destination marketing companies, transport operators, retail and entertainment venues)

Best Visitor Attraction

Best Sporting Event

Hospitality Hero

Innovation Award (open to small or large businesses)

Regional Young Ambassador Award (open to people aged 30 or under)

Regional Ambassador Award (open to people aged 31 or over)

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