It is a record response as tourism Awards night is sold out!
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The Highlands & Islands Tourism Awards (HITA) means much more than a trophy or title.
Supported by highly respected and successful organisations across the business and tourism sectors, including headline sponsor, Royal Bank of Scotland, the Awards play a key role as recognition from industry leaders and peers encourages everyone in hospitality to strive to deliver the highest levels of excellence.
Hosted at the Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness on Friday, November 4, the Awards have seen record entries this year and the event is now sold out!
It is all set to be a big night for the shortlistees and sponsors with fabulous food and entertainment as well as the presentations.
Highland Hotels Association (HHA) is sponsoring the Food Tourism category together with Braehead.
HHA Chair, Emmanuel Moine, said the Awards were vital to the sector: “We definitely need to support and encourage such events. The Awards are important as quality in hospitality needs to be challenged and awarded.
“I am still very positive in regard to tourism in the Highlands. Inverness is becoming year after year a fantastic tourism hub, a unique destination.”
Scott Inglis at Fishers, sponsor of the Best Hotel Experience over 20 rooms award, added: “The tourism industry in the Highlands and Islands is vitally important and it’s essential that we celebrate the best of that and recognise the hard work and enthusiasm of the people that make it so successful.
“We’re famous for the warm welcome we give to Scotland’s visitors – let’s recognise that. Fishers is proud to be a part of the tourism and hospitality sector in the Highlands and Islands. We’re glad to be able to support a part of the industry that is close to our hearts.”
Developing the Young Workforce Inverness & Central Highlands (DYWICH) and Developing the Young Workforce North Highlands (DWYNH) is jointly sponsoring the Tourism and Hospitality Hero award.
DYWICH Programme manager Eilidh Edgar said: “By sponsoring the Awards, we feel we are in a small part giving back to a sector that has been incredibly supportive of Developing the Young Workforce in our region.
“Many businesses, organisations and individuals in this sector have engaged with schools that we work in and helped shape the future workforce.”
Caley Cruisers and Dolphin Spirit are sponsoring the award for Best Self Catering Accommodation Experience.
Lindsay Randall from Caley Cruisers said: “Tourism is so important in the Highlands as for a lot of people it is their way of life.
“We also have such amazing facilities on our door step it is important to showcase it to the best of our ability. We can only do this by all working together to ensure guests have the best time while visiting our area.”
Also sponsoring HITA 2022 are:
- Bidfood/Great Glen Gin (Best Bar / Pub)
- VisitScotland (Best B&B or Guest House Experience)
- NorthLink (Best Eatery Experience)
- Kilchoman (Best Hotel Experience (under 20 rooms)
- Highland Tourism Partnership (Best Outdoor or Adventure Experience)
- Port of Cromarty Firth Authority (Best Visitor Attraction Experience)
- HIE (Highland Ambassador)
- Baywa (Highland Rising Star)
- HIAL (Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival)
- RBS (Climate Champion)
- Highland Council (Working Together for Tourism)
As well as being headline sponsor, Royal Bank of Scotland is also sponsoring a new award this year, the RBS Climate Champion. Ryan Fraser, RBS Commercial Director, added: “It has been a fantastic response from the Highlands and Islands and the shortlist demonstrates the wide range of successful businesses here.
“We’re delighted there has been a record number of entries to this year’s Awards and that the event is now sold out. I can’t wait to hear their stories on Awards night. Good luck everybody!”
Don’t miss the chance to attend climate seminar!
Ahead of the Awards night, Royal Bank of Scotland, is hosting a special climate change seminar on the afternoon of November 4.
The seminar will be led by keynote speaker, Gary Kendall, head of climate strategy implementation, NatWest Group, and who has over 25 years experience in the area.
The two-hour seminar aims to support customers, businesses, and stakeholders in the tourism and leisure sector on their transition to Net Zero.
The event will feature an overview of the impact of climate change on tourism businesses, practical takeaways from industry experts, as well as case studies from businesses across the region that are leading the charge when it comes to sustainability.
As well as being the Awards headline sponsor, Royal Bank of Scotland is also sponsoring a new award this year, Climate Champion.
The new Climate Champion award, developed in collaboration with Royal Bank of Scotland and Green Tourism, will be presented to the business, organisation or individual offering leadership in the transition to a zero-carbon operation.
The climate change seminar will take place at the Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness on Friday, November 4 at 2pm.
READ more about the event and the shortlist at highland-tourism-awards.co.uk
Register for the seminar at Eventbrite
