Date :
09/05/2014
In 10 years, the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards (HITA) has grown from a fledgling and aspiring tourism recognition programme, to what it is today, a nationally respected awards series, privately funded and steered by a board of industry leaders from across the Highlands and Islands.
Marina Huggett, HITA 2014 Chair said:
“This year is a big year for celebration. Not only is it HITA’s 10th anniversary, but tourism in the Highlands and Islands, and in Scotland as a whole, has never felt so alive, with the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup being hosted here.”
“In addition, Lewis and Harris was very recently voted Top Island in Europe and one of the top five in the world on Tripadvisor. These are strong indicators that the future of tourism in our region is officially on the up.”
HITA have been working on a new approach to rewarding and recognising the excellence that exists within the Highlands and Islands tourism industry. In 2014, HITA offer the opportunity for anyone to nominate a business or person that they feel deserves recognition. Tourism businesses will still be able to register and complete an entry without being nominated.
HITA’s new award categories have been selected to reflect the importance of the customer experience in the Highlands and Islands region and also to streamline the route for HITA winners to the national stage at the Scottish Thistle Awards. Each HITA 2014 winner, with the exception of the Ambassadors, will automatically become a finalist at the Scottish Thistle Awards 2015.
There are 14 categories for the 2014 awards programme: Most Hospitable Hotel, Most Hospitable B&B/Guest House, Best Holiday Accommodation, Best Informal Eating Experience, Best Restaurant Experience, Friendliest Pub/Bar, Best Event or Festival, Best Outdoor/Adventure Experience, Our Warmest Welcome, Best Visitor Attraction, Discovering Scotland Award, Young Ambassador Award, Ambassador Award and the Creative Ambition Award.
Anyone can nominate a company or individual or register their own business by completing the form online at www.highland-tourism-awards.co.uk
The winners will be announced at the HITA ceremony and gala dinner at the Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness on Friday 7th November 2014.
The deadline for nominations is 13th May 2014 and the deadline for entries is 13th June 2014.
Follow the Highland Tourism Awards on Twitter for updates at @HiTourismAwards