Awards success for Lothian tourism firms

A NUMBER of businesses based in Edinburgh and the Lothians are celebrating after success at a tourism awards ceremony.

Hotel Missoni, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2011-12, Rabbie’s Small Group Tours, Our Dynamic Earth, Crosswoodhill Farm Holiday Cottages, the Scottish Seabird Centre and Romanes & Paterson – part of the Edinburgh Woollen Mill – were all honoured during the regional heats of the Scottish Thistle Awards.

The prize-giving, which was organised by tourism body VisitScotland, took place in Stirling earlier this week.

Manuela Calchini, regional director of VisitScotland, said: “It was a wonderful occasion and, in particular, I would like to congratulate the businesses that have made it through to the final of this year’s Scottish Thistle Awards in November.

“Edinburgh and the Lothians has a great deal to offer visitors in terms of the quality of things to see and do and the places to stay and this award helps attract people to the area.”

The Scottish Thistle Awards are designed to celebrate excellence across the industry, with special emphasis on quality and enhancing the overall visitor experience.

Ms Calchini added: “To make the most of the opportunities presented by the next few years and to capitalise on once in a lifetime milestones like the Olympics and Glasgow 2014 the tourism industry needs to be as polished as it can be.”