There's still time to enter the Highlands & Islands Tourism Awards

20th August 2007

Tourism operators in the Highlands and Islands still have time to submit their entry for an award which could help to raise their profile and make an impact on their future development.

They are being urged to take part in the area's most prestigious hospitality and tourism awards event, the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards (HITA) 2007, which will take place in the Drumossie Hotel, Inverness on Friday, 16 November. Over 350 representatives from the region's top tourism, hospitality, leisure and travel businesses are expected to gather to celebrate all that is best in tourism in the Highlands and Islands.

Neil Campbell of Blue Reef Cottages on Harris, who won the award for Customer Care in 2006, said: "We were extremely proud to receive the award last year, not just for Blue Reef but for the wider Outer Hebrides which is fast becoming a world class destination.

"Winning an award is not just good for your own business it is good for the wider area, and we would encourage as many businesses as possible to enter for a 2007 award."

Graeme Ambrose of Evergreen B&B at Inverfarigaig, winner of last year's Green Business Award, said: "A Highlands and Islands Tourism Award is a great accolade to boast about if you want to have the edge on what you're doing, even if you're only shortlisted.

"Customers are more particular and demanding these days, and they are constantly looking for confirmation of high standards of facilities and services, so being able to highlight our award on our website serves us well. It's also given us a lot of local publicity, and there's also no better endorsement for our business than by the industry".

This year there are 12 distinct categories to enter via the website www.highland-tourism-awards.co.uk, each of which seeks to recognize industry players at the top of their game. The awards are designed to reflect the high quality, diversity and creativity synonymous with tourism today in the Highlands and Islands.

Interested businesses should enter via application forms at www.highland-tourism-awards.co.uk by Friday 31 August.