Edinburgh is well represented on the shortlist announced today for the Scottish Thistle Awards.
These tourism awards recognise excellence and best practice in the hospitality and tourism industry, and this year is special as it marks the 25th anniversary.
The Lothian and Borders Regional Final will be held at Prestonfield House on 23 November 2017.
From Edinburgh the finalists include The Rutland Hotel & Apartments, the Edinburgh Marathon Festival, Café St Honore, L’Escargot Blanc, Roseleaf Bar Café, Teuchters Landings, Beltane Fire Society, Secret Herb Garden, Summerhall Distillery and the Scotch Whisky Experience.
Hidden Door is shortlisted for Best Cultural Event or Festival, the Edinburgh International Festival is also shortlisted for that award. Sandemans New Europe is on the list for the Best Outdoor/Adventure Experience and Edinburgh and SE Scotland Branch of Scottish Tourist Guide is on the list for Best Heritage Site.
In the Regional Rising Star field Garry Saunders, Highland Experience from Edinburgh is shortlisted.
For Innovation in Tourism there are two companies listed and they are both from Edinburgh – Invisible Cities and Scottish Beer Tours. In the Tourism and Hospitality Hero category the three nominees are all from Edinburgh – Alister McDermott from See My Scotland, Douglas Johnston of Radical Travel and Sergio Coppolla of Highland Experience.
In the final category of Working together for Tourism Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust is one nominee. Marketing Edinburgh also has a chance of walking off with the award for their Edinburgh’s Georgian Shadows campaign which they ran with a number of partners including Edinburgh Tourism Action Group.
All the finalists had entered but were up against a record 734 entrants from all aspects of the hospitality industry.
Rebecca Brooks, Chair of the Scottish Thistle Awards Industry Panel, said: “It’s fantastic that in this special anniversary year, we’ve had such an overwhelming response to this year’s competition. These awards aim to find the crème de la crème of Scotland’s tourism industry, to recognise the shining lights who have shown real commitment and dedication to the industry.“From the sheer volume and calibre of entries, it is clear that this year’s competition will be the fiercest yet and on behalf of the panel I’d like to congratulate all the shortlisted entrants and wish each and every one of them the very best of the luck at the regional finals.”The Scottish Thistle Awards is led by a panel of industry experts from several organisations including VisitScotland, Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism Awards, Highlands & Islands Tourism Awards, the Hospitality Industry Trust Scotland, Scotland Food and Drink, Scottish Tourism Alliance, the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, sportscotland and Wild Scotland.Manuela Calchini, VisitScotland Regional Partnerships Director, said: “Edinburgh’s tourism offering is world famous, with 21 shortlisted finalists, it’s clear the region is leading the charge when it comes to excellence.“Tourism is more than a holiday experience, it creates jobs and sustains communities. The Scottish Thistle Awards is a chance for us to celebrate those who work tirelessly to ensure that all visitors, whether from Scotland or further afield, enjoy a truly memorable experience.“I wish all those shortlisted the best of luck in the regional final.”
www.scottishthistleawards.co.uk
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
Don’t forget Hidden Door! We’re delighted that our wee arts festival has made the regional shortlist, especially up against such stiff competition as the legendary Beltane Fire Society and the epic, world renowned Edinburgh International Festival!
Truly sorry! – there was a list attached and indeed you are on it! Well done. Hidden Door is shortlisted for Best Cultural Event or Festival
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