Majestic Line scoops Innovation in Tourism award
Specialist cruise company Majestic Line was delighted to win the Innovation in Tourism award at the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards ceremony and dinner that took place in Inverness earlier this month.
Commenting on the award, the judges said that they ‘loved this entry as it exceeded all aspects of the category criteria. True innovation, creativity based on customer experience and now achieving real growth – all after identification of a gap in the market. An inspirational example – this business has really captured the best of Scotland.’
Majestic Line’s Andy Thoms said: ‘In the year that we launched our fourth small cruise ship, we are delighted to receive this award for Innovation in Tourism.
‘The Glen Shiel has been designed specifically to cruise to St Kilda and incorporates all that we have learned from operating a fleet of small cruise ships over the past 15 years.
‘The Majestic Line vision is to introduce people to the fabulous scenery and food of Argyll with our crew providing genuine, warm Scottish hospitality. The atmosphere on board is informal and fun. The majority of our guests have never been to Scotland before and many are overwhelmed by the experience.
Some return as often as 15 times to cruise with us again.’
Further commenting, the judges said: ‘Providing a variety of cruises round the islands of Argyll and the Hebrides filled a gap in the market, now brought to life by Majestic Line. The story of the growth since its birth in 2004 turning beautifully crafted wooden-hull trawlers into fine cruising was inspired when taking excellence as their guide. Sustaining growth ambitions using those innovative ideas, to introduce mini cruises with gourmet food filled the gap, and saw the business grow to what it is today.’
The Innovation in Tourism category was sponsored by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and winning the award means that Majestic Line automatically becomes a finalist at the Scottish Thistle Awards in March 2020.