Glasgow tourism businesses shortlisted for Scottish Thistle Awards

Tennent’s Visitor Centre, the new £1million attraction that opened its doors last year, Glasgow Film Festival and Native Glasgow have made it through to the West regional final of the Scottish Thistle Awards.

A total of nine businesses and individuals will represent the city at the West Regional Final at Òran Mór in Glasgow on Thursday 28 November 2019.

Tennent’s Visitor Centre has been shortlisted in the Best Visitor Attraction category, which is sponsored by ScotRail. Glasgow Film Festival is shortlisted in the Best Cultural Event or Festival category, while Native Glasgow is shortlisted in the Best Self-Catering Accommodation Experience, sponsored by Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers. Glasgow Music City Tours is a regional finalist in the Working Together for Tourism category. City Centre Whisky bar Pot Still is shortlisted in the Best Pub/ Bar category, while four of the city’s restaurants and eateries – Ox and Finch, Mharsanta Ltd, Five March and Tantrum Doughnuts – have been shortlisted in the Best Restaurant Experience and Best Informal Eating Experience categories.

The Scottish Thistle Awards, now in their 27th year, help shine the spotlight on individuals and businesses going above and beyond to create a destination and visitor experience worth talking about amongst our valuable tourism industry. They champion the very best of the Scottish tourism industry, celebrating innovation, success and excellence in the sector.

2019 saw almost 600 entries submitted, including more than 1,000 nominations from members of the public keen to give hotels, restaurants, B&Bs, visitor attractions and individuals the opportunity to earn the recognition they deserve from their own industry peers.

Rebecca Brooks, Chair of the Scottish Thistle Awards industry panel, said: “Once again, the Scottish Thistle Awards, have attracted entries from right across the country, with the regional winners earning their place at the prestigious National Final in March, where they will join the country’s tourism elite to be honoured with the highest accolade in the Scottish hospitality and tourism sector.

“Tourism is more than a holiday experience – it is the heartbeat of the Scottish economy and touches every community, generating income, jobs and social change. The Scottish Thistle Awards is a chance to celebrate those people and businesses responsible for offering the warmest of welcomes that our country is famous for.“On behalf of the panel, I would like to congratulate all shortlisted entrants and wish each and every one of them the very best of luck at the regional finals.”

The Scottish Thistle Awards are led by Scotland’s national tourism organisation, VisitScotland, and supported by a panel of industry representatives including the Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism Awards, Highlands & Islands Tourism Awards, the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (ASVA), the Hospitality Industry Trust Scotland, Scotland Food and Drink, Scottish Tourism Alliance, the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, sportscotland and Wild Scotland.

VisitScotland Regional Leadership Director Jim Clarkson said: “I am delighted to see such a strong representation from the city of Glasgow at the West Scottish Thistle Awards Regional Final. These entries show the strength and diversity of the tourism industry in the city, including quality food and drink, outstanding accommodation, vibrant events and our UNESCO City of Music credentials. Those individuals and businesses should feel very proud to have reached the regional finals and I wish them the very best of luck.”