Celebrating Excellence Across Our Industry
From accommodation providers and visitor attractions to cultural events, climate leaders and rising stars, our categories reflect the breadth and strength of our regional industry.
In 2026, ACSTA features:
- 15 x Regional Categories
- 4 x National-Only Categories
Regional winners progress to represent Aberdeen City and Shire at national level, competing against the best from across Scotland.
Entering is straightforward and fully digital.
Once you select your category, you will be taken to the Zealous entry system to create or log in to your account and begin your submission.
You may enter as many categories for which you meet the eligibility criteria.
About Our Categories
Choosing the Right Category
If you are unsure which category best fits your business or individual nomination, we encourage you to:
- Review the short criteria summaries below
- Click through to read the full category guidance
- Contact us for advice if needed [link to an email address on the Contact Us words]
Our aim is to ensure every entrant selects the category that gives them the best opportunity to showcase their strengths.
A Level Playing Field
ACSTA welcomes entries from businesses of all sizes - from independent operators to larger organisations.
Judging is based on quality, evidence and impact, not size or turnover. What matters most is the experience you deliver and the difference you make.
Regional Categories
Below are our 2026 categories. Click to follow each link to the respective page on Zealous.
Best Accommodation or Unique Stay
This category celebrates businesses with a unique accommodation experience, while going the extra mile to provide a personal, memorable and authentic experience.
Businesses should offer genuine engagementwith the visitor, whether online or in person, and an exceptional guest experience.
Who should enter?
B&B, guest house, boutique hotels, wigwams, campsites, caravan parks, campervan hire, hostels, agritourism businesses withan accommodation offering, and any other type of unique accommodation offering.
Best Bar or Pub
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, Scottish experience, from our history, music and culture, to our food and drink and 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.
Best Eating Experience
In Scotland there are eateries to suit every occasion and budget. This category is designed to recognise restaurants and eateries that provide an exceptional experience for diners, as well as 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 visitors with a distinctive, memorable experience centred around Scottish food and drink.
Best Hotel
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.
Best Outdoor or Adventure Experience
Outdoor, adventure, tour, agritourism 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 and who engage with the landscape and local communities in a positive and rnvironmentally sensitive way.
Who should enter?
Businesses large and small that provide exceptional outdoor, adventure, tour (guided or self-guided), agritourism or wildlife experiences and have a focus on delivering real visitor satisfaction.
Best Self-Catering or Exclusive Use
This category is aimed at businesses providing outstanding overnight accommodation and which consider themselves self-catering or exclusive use. Businesses should provide an authentic Scottish experience and welcome, whether online or in person, and an exceptional guest experience.
This award celebrates those providing a bespoke accommodation experience to suit visitors' travel style, while ensuring true Scottish hospitality is at the forefront of the offering.
Who should enter?
Self-catering properties, serviced apartments, holiday lets or exclusive use accommodation.
Best Visitor Attraction
Scotland has a wealth of unique and fascinating visitor attractions, from castles and palaces to nuclear bunkers and a hollow mountain experience! This category celebrates the variety of opportunity provided to Scotland's visitors, and the attractions which provide world class service with an authentic, memorable 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.
Best Community Tourism & Events Initiative
It is now more important than ever to ensure that the benefits of tourism and events 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 enhance the visitor experience whilst growing social, cultural and economic wealth.
Who should enter?
This category is open to anyone (businesses and individuals) in the tourism, hospitality and events industry – community tourism, tourism businesses (B2B and B2C), hospitality businesses, event organisers, destination management organisations (B2B), tour operators, destination marketing companies, destination management companies, transport operators, destination and sector organisations, retail and entertainment venues. If you are operating a collective approach to deliver activity, this is the category for you!
Climate Action Award
In line with the Outlook 2030 strategy’s ambition for sustainable and responsible growth, and the national events strategy vision for Scotland to be “the Perfect Stage for Events”, 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 challenges facing Scottish tourism and events now, and in the future, and we want to inspire future generations to say that Scotland made a difference and led the way to Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.
The purpose of this award is to celebrate success across business, events and destinations who have made demonstrable progress on their climate action journey to Net Zero. This can include the measurement, monitoring and mitigation of emissions and waste, taking general action to decarbonise, as well as communicating and collaborating with their staff, customers, and broader stakeholders to deliver climate action.
Who should enter?
This award is for any tourism business, event organiser or destinations that has set an excellent standard for Responsible Tourism practice and can serve as an example to the wider industry by demonstrating their commitment to reducing carbon emissions, tackling climate change, and driving positive change towards Net Zero.
Inclusion Award
This award celebrates a business or event that sets the standards for inclusion and demonstrates a strong commitment to serving the market and providing excellent customer service.
Some examples of inclusive practices would include:·
- An ongoing commitment to training frontline staff or event volunteers in equality, diversity and inclusion awareness.
- Providing facilities and services designed for different customer groups or a specific customer group 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 activity which offers opportunities for low-income families or young disadvantaged adults to participate in Scottish tourism and events.
Who should enter?
This award is for any tourism or event business that can serve as an example to
industry, by emphasising their inclusion ethos, who demonstrates a commitment
to serving the market and providing excellent customer service.
Innovation Award
This category celebrates businesses taking significant steps to improve and invest in the future of 21st century Scottish tourism and events. This award sets out to honour those driving forward positive change in innovative ways, and those creatively adapting in line with the changing landscape and consumer behaviour. Entrants should be finding new ways to provide exceptional experiences to visitors.
Who should enter?
This award is for any business operating within the tourism and events industry championing innovation, whether that be in technology and digital, physical expansion or investment in change.
Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival
Scotland is the Perfect Stage for events. From large scale international events to regional 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.
Who should enter?
This category aims to celebrate and recognise outstanding cultural events/festivals that are part of our tourism offering. Entries are sought from events/festivals that can demonstrate creativity, innovation and the delivery of unique, excellent experiences.
Eligible event editions will have taken place between 1st April 2025 – 31st March 2026.
Employer of the Year
This category celebrates employers of all sizes, who truly put their people first, creating supportive workplaces where everyone can thrive. Successful entrants will show how they champion Fair Work by giving employees a real voice, offering opportunities to grow and progress, providing stability and security, fostering fulfilment in every role, and treating all staff with dignity and respect.
Who should enter?
Tourism, hospitality and events businesses that support Fair Work and prioritise the wellbeing, development and fair treatment of their employees. Entrants should be able to demonstrate how they attract, retain and develop staff in a positive work environment, making the industry an attractive and rewarding one to build a career in.
Individual of the Year
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 continually 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 positive change and champion the sector as a force for good.
Who should enter?
Please note: Self-entry for this category is not permitted. Entries must be submitted on behalf of the individual by a colleague or contact.
This category is open to anyone working within the Scottish tourism, hospitality and events industry – from front of house staff to senior management – who is excelling in their field and striving to make their workplace, community and/or local area a better place for everyone.
Rising Star Award
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 award aims to recognise the achievements of individuals that are at the start of their career within the tourism, hospitality or events industry and who display passion and enthusiasm and give companies an opportunity to demonstrate the investment they make in their workforce.
Who Should Enter?
Please note: Self-entry for this category is not permitted. Entries must be submitted on behalf of the individual by a colleague or contact.
This category is aimed at anyone working full-time within the Scottish tourism, hospitality or events industry who are at the start of their working career as well as those who have made a career change and are new to the industry. The individual will have a natural flair for innovative thinking and entrepreneurial spirit and shows real potential for the future.
This category is open to those that have either worked in the industry for less than 5 years OR who are under the age of 30 years old (at time of entry).
National Only Categories
These categories are judged at national level and recognise excellence in areas of strategic importance to Scotland’s tourism and events industry.
Businesses and events operating within Aberdeen City and Shire are encouraged to enter where eligible.
Outstanding Sporting Event
Best Luxury Experience
Best Business Event
Positive Impact Tour Operator Award