There are categories for business, tourism groups and individuals operating at all levels of the north-east tourism industry. Our categories are aligned with the Scottish Thistle Awards scheme, with many regional winners going on to represent the area on the national stage.
In addition to these categories there are four national awards- more information here.
The future of Scotland’s hospitality and tourism industry depends on inspiring the next generation. The MacRobert Trust Emerging Talent Award aims to recognise the achievements of our young people who display a passion and enthusiasm and give companies an opportunity to demonstrate the investment they make in their workforce.
This Award will have a bespoke HIT Scholarship as part of the prize be presented to entrants between the ages of 16 and 25 (applicants must be 25 or under on 22nd September 2023) who demonstrate the greatest skill in their chosen sector of the tourism and hospitality industry and can represent the industry positively.
Finalists will be invited to interview.
Who Should Enter?
Any individual aged between 16 and 25 working full-time in the tourism and hospitality industry.
This award celebrates the key role of bars and pubs as part of the Scottish visitor’s memorable experience. Our licensed trade provides visitors with a wide variety of options, from traditional music and fayre by the fire to bespoke cocktails.
We are celebrating those offering an authentic, cultural experience with a warm welcome. Businesses should have sustainability at their heart and strive to support the local community.
Who should enter?
Any business which considers its main activity to be a bar or pub.
In Scotland there are eateries to suit every occasion and budget. This category is designed to recognise restaurants and eateries that provide an exceptional customer experience and a warm Scottish welcome.
We are celebrating those with a quality food and drink offering, promoting local Scottish produce. Businesses should have sustainability at their heart, with a responsible approach to food sourcing and waste, and strive to support the local community.
Who should enter?
Any business which considers its main activity to be providing customers with a distinct, memorable experience centred around Scottish food and drink.
Accommodation is a vital part of the visitor journey. The hotel experience is key to creating visitors' lasting impressions of Scotland. This award celebrates hotels of all sizes which provide customers with a memorable and authentic experience.
Businesses should provide a warm welcome to all visitors and have sustainability at their heart.
Who should enter?
Hotels of all sizes demonstrating exemplary levels of customer service and satisfaction.
This category celebrates those providing outstanding overnight accommodation, which do not consider themselves a hotel, inn or guest house. Businesses should provide an authentic Scottish experience and genuine engagement with the visitor, whether online or in person, and an exceptional service. This award celebrates those providing a unique and bespoke accommodation experience to suit visitors' travel style, while ensuring true Scottish hospitality is at the forefront of the offering.
Who should enter?
If you offer overnight accommodation but are not a hotel, inn, guest house or B&B – then this award is for you! Examples may include, but are not limited to: self-catering or serviced apartments, holiday lets, wigwams, campsites, caravan parks, campervan hire, agritourism businesses with an accommodation offering.
B&Bs and guest houses are at the front line of Scotland’s hospitality reputation and are key to creating visitors' lasting impressions of Scotland. This category celebrates businesses going the extra mile to provide a personal memorable and authentic experience.
Businesses should provide a warm welcome to all visitors and have sustainability at their heart.
Who should enter?
Any business that considers itself a guest house or B&B and demonstrates exemplary levels of customer service and satisfaction.
Scotland is the Perfect Stage for events. From large scale international events to local and community festivals, Scotland has a rich annual programme of events and festivals, and each makes an important contribution to our thriving communities and cities.
This category aims to celebrate and recognise outstanding cultural events or festivals that are part of our tourism offering. Entries are sought from events/festivals that can demonstrate exceptional resilience, innovation and the delivery of excellent live, online or hybrid experiences.
Who should enter?
Eligible event editions will have been delivered between 1st May 2022 – 31st March 2023. For annual or recurring events, it is the most recent edition that is eligible.
It is now more important than ever to ensure that the benefits of tourism are experienced directly by our communities and that our visitors enjoy enriched experiences delivered by proud and passionate people who live and work in Scotland’s destinations.
This category celebrates partnerships, collaborations and team working – whether that be with local businesses, communities or a group of individuals – coming together to protect and enhance our environment whilst growing social, cultural and economic wealth.
Who should enter?
This category is open to anyone (businesses and individuals) in the tourism and hospitality industry – community tourism, tourism businesses (B2B and B2C), hospitality businesses, destination management organisations (B2B), tour operators, destination marketing companies, destination management companies, transport operators, destination and sector organisations, retail and entertainment venues. If you believe that "tourism is everyone's business" and you are operating a collective approach to deliver activity, this is the category for you!
Our ambition for Scottish Tourism is to make tourism physically and financially accessible to everyone. This award celebrates a business, who has a developed an outstanding welcome for all customers, who provides accessible facilities which can enjoyed by all customers.
Some examples of inclusive practices would include:
An ongoing commitment to training frontline staff in equality and disability awareness
Providing facilities and services designed for different customer groups or a specific customer groups e.g., autism or dementia friendly tours or accommodation which is accessible to wheelchair users, services for deaf or for the hard of hearing, braille signage etc.
Social tourism activity which offers opportunities for low-income families or young disadvantaged adults to participate in Scottish tourism.
Who should enter?
This award is for any tourism businesses who set the standard for inclusive tourism practices and can serve as an example to the tourism industry, by emphasising their inclusion ethos, who demonstrates a commitment to serving the market and providing excellent customer service.
In line with the Outlook 2030 strategy’s ambition for sustainable and responsible growth, it is important that the tourism and events industry in Scotland continues to develop in a responsible way. Tackling climate change is one of the biggest long-term challenge facing Scottish tourism now, and in the future, and we want to inspire future generations to say that Scottish tourism made a difference and led the way to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.
This award celebrates businesses, events, and destinations, who have made demonstrable progress on their climate action journey to NetZero. This includes the measurement and monitoring of emissions, taking action to decarbonise, as well as communicating and collaborating with their staff, customers, and wider stakeholders.
Who should enter?
This award is for any tourism businesses, events or destinations who set the standard for Responsible Tourism practices and can serve as an example to the tourism industry, by emphasising their commitment to reducing carbon emissions, taking climate action and engaging within and beyond their business.
Scotland has a wealth of unique and fascinating visitor attractions, from castles and palaces to nuclear bunkers and famous pandas! This category celebrates the variety of opportunity provided to Scotland's visitors, and the attractions which provide world class service with an authentic Scottish experience.
Attractions should provide a warm welcome to all visitors and have sustainability at their heart.
Who should enter?
For visitor attractions that demonstrate exemplary levels of customer service and visitor satisfaction. This category is open to visitor attractions of all types and sizes.
Outdoor, adventure and wildlife experiences are a key part of what makes a visit to Scotland so unique and memorable. With a vast and varied landscape full of opportunity for adventure and excitement, there truly is an activity for every visitor. This category celebrates businesses that provide unforgettable, quality and authentic experiences to their visitors who engage with the landscape and local communities in a positive and environmentally sensitive way.
Who should enter?
Businesses large and small that provide exceptional outdoor, adventure or wildlife experiences and have a focus on delivering real customer satisfaction.
This category celebrates employers who have demonstrated a real commitment to the welfare of their employees, providing a supportive and inspiring work environment. Diversity and inclusivity should be core to the business, ensuring the right conditions for workers from all backgrounds to thrive and succeed.
This award aims to highlight and celebrate employers who are showcasing tourism, hospitality and events as an exciting career path and inspiring the next generation. In line with the Outlook 2030 strategy, businesses should support Scotland’s ambition to become a leading Fair Work Nation, and provide opportunities for development to their employees.
Who should enter?
Tourism and events businesses which are going above and beyond for their employees. Employers should demonstrate a commitment to Responsible Tourism practices and align with Scotland’s Outlook 2030 strategy and its commitment to a skilled, committed, diverse, and valued workforce.
People are the essence of the tourism, hospitality and events sector and we all have a responsibility in shaping the future of our industry. This category is for individuals who go above and beyond to deliver exceptional customer service, and who prioritise inclusivity, sustainability, community and responsible practices.
This award aims to highlight and celebrate those individuals who act as an ambassador for change within the industry, showcasing a commitment to tourism as a force for good.
Who should enter?
Self-entry is not permitted for this category and entries should be submitted on behalf of the individual by a colleague or contact.
This category is open to anyone working withing the Scottish tourism and hospitality industry – from front of house staff to senior management – who has gone above and beyond, striving to make their workplace, community and/or local area a better place for everyone.