Companies secure place at the top table of tourism awards
A family fun park and luxury adventure tour company are among the bumper crop of businesses representing Ayrshire and Arran, as the shortlist for this year’s Scottish Thistle Awards regional finals are unveiled.
Heads of Ayr Farm Park and Primal Adventures have made it through to the West regional final of the Scottish Thistle Awards.
A total of nine businesses and individuals will represent the region at the West Regional Final at Glasgow’s Oran Mor on Thursday, November 28.
Heads of Ayr Farm Park has been shortlisted in the Best Visitor Attraction category and Primal Adventures, based at Largs, has been shortlisted in the Best Outdoor/ Adventure Experience category.
Other regional finalists include Trump Turnberry in the Best Hotel Experience category, as well as in the Best Self Catering Accommodation Experience.
Auchrannie Resort on the Isle of Arran has also been shortlisted in the Best Hotel Experience category, as well as Linda Johnston in the Regional Ambassador category.
Three members of staff from the Trump Turnberry have also been shortlisted for awards.
Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway has been shortlisted for the Best Heritage Tourism Experience.
The Scottish Thistle Awards, now in their 27th year, help shine the spotlight on individuals and businesses going above and beyond to create a destination and visitor experience worth talking about amongst our valuable tourism industry.
Almost 600 entries were submitted this year, including more than 1,000 nominations from members of the public.
Rebecca Brooks, chair of the Scottish Thistle Awards industry panel, said: “Tourism is more than a holiday experience – it is the heartbeat of the Scottish economy and touches every community, generating income, jobs and social change.
“The Scottish Thistle Awards is a chance to celebrate those people and businesses responsible for offering the warmest of welcomes that our country is famous for.
“On behalf of the panel, I would like to congratulate all regional finalists and wish each and every one of them the very best of luck at the regional finals.”
VisitScotland Regional Director, Gordon Smith, added: “I am delighted to see such a strong representation from Ayrshire and Arran at the West Scottish Thistle Awards Regional Final.
“These entries show the strength and depth of the tourism industry in the region, from high quality accommodation and historic visitor attractions to individuals going the extra mile to put the region on the map.
“Those individuals and businesses should feel very proud to have been shortlisted in the regional final and I wish them the very best of luck.”