50 firms in finals of Highland Tourism Awards
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THE final 50 companies are ready to do battle in the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards.
In all, 203 businesses or individuals entered or were nominated in 15 categories this year in the awards, a record in the event’s 12-year history.
Judges have now reduced the number of competitors to a 50-strong shortlist, revealed today (Friday).
The finalists stretch across the entire length of the region – from Shetland to Dunoon – and represent the best of the industry in areas such as hospitality, catering, innovation, hosting sporting events and managing tours and activities.
Argyll leads the way with 16 entries making the shortlist, with eight from Strathspey, six from Ross-shire, five from Skye and four from Inverness.
The Ross-shire finalists are:
• Best Accommodation Provider - The Brochs of Coigach.
• Best Informal Eating Experience - Applecross Inn, Ross-shire.
• Best Outdoor/Adventure Experience - EcoVentures, Cromarty.
• Best Visitor Attraction - Glen Ord Distillery, Muir of Ord; and EcoVentures, Cromarty.
• Most Hospitable B&B or Guest House - Old Drynie House B&B, North Kessock.
Craig Ewan, HITA chairman, said: "It’s been an extremely difficult task for our judges to narrow down a record breaking entry of more than 200 to a shortlist of 50 finalists.
"The standard of entries rises every year and so everyone who has made the shortlist should be extremely proud. They represent all aspects of the Highlands and Islands tourism industry and demonstrate the quality of businesses and individuals that are working every day to improve the visitor and guest experience.
"Picking winners from this list will be a real challenge for our judging panel."
The competition will culminate in a grand ceremony at the Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness, on November 4. Winners, with the exception of the Highland Rising Star and Highland Ambassador categories, will go on to represent the region at the glittering national final of the Scottish Thistle Awards next year.
This year’s sponsors also include VisitScotland, the Royal Bank of Scotland, Loch Ness by Jacobite, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, System2, Highland Council, NorthLink Ferries, Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd, the Eastgate Shopping Centre, Chivas Brothers, Scottish Provincial Press publisher of the North Star, Inverness Hotels Association, the Federation of Small Businesses, Calor, Macleod and MacCallum, Ritsons, and J Thomson Colour Printers.
