Home   News   Article

Get your Highlands & Islands Tourism Awards (HITA) entries in now!


By Features Reporter

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!
The 2019 Highland Ambassador was Anne Gracie Gunn. She received the award from sponsor, Mike Seaton, director of development, SSE Renewables and Laurence Young, HITA chairman. Picture: Callum Mackay
The 2019 Highland Ambassador was Anne Gracie Gunn. She received the award from sponsor, Mike Seaton, director of development, SSE Renewables and Laurence Young, HITA chairman. Picture: Callum Mackay

The deadline for entries to this year’s Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards (HITA) has been extended to June 14.

That means you still have time to share your achievements and be in with a great chance of scooping a prestigious award!

HITA chairman Laurence Young said: “There’s just time to apply for the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards before the applications close on June 14.

“The accolade of winning a prestigious award gives a business such a great fillip, it’s well worth the effort. The application is completed online and is pretty short and sharp to do. There’s also the gala celebration dinner on the awards night in November to look forward to!”

Entry is free of charge so there is every reason to tell us all about the great work you are doing.

The categories cover
every aspect of the industry; fascinating visitor attractions and events; exciting outdoor experiences; outstanding food and
drink businesses showcasing the area’s exceptional natural larder and artisan products; and, of course, the world-famous Highland hospitality.

But more than that, the Awards, sponsored by Royal Bank of Scotland, recognise the high standards of excellence, professionalism and dedication of the people that not only strive to make their businesses a success but have a bigger impact on their local area.

The categories are:

  • RBS climate champion
  • Highland rising star
  • Highland ambassador (nomination only)
  • Best bar or pub
  • Best hotel experience (under 20 rooms)
  • Best hotel experience (over 20 rooms)
  • Food tourism award
  • Best eatery experience
  • Best outdoor or adventure experience
  • Best self-catering accommodation
  • Best visitor attraction experience
  • Best B&B or guesthouse experience
  • Outstanding cultural event or festival
  • Tourism and hospitality hero (nomination only)
  • Working together for tourism

The winners of the last 13 categories will go forward to the national finals of VisitScotland’s Thistle Awards. HITA winners have gone on to win multiple awards at a national level.

In addition, there are four other Thistle Award national-only categories which businesses from across the Highlands and Islands can enter directly via VisitScotland by Friday, September 2.

The categories are:

  • Outstanding sporting event
  • Best business event
  • Responsible tourism award
  • Best luxury experience

The Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards bring together industry leaders, sponsors and, most importantly, all of those shortlisted.

All will gather at the award-winning Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness for the Awards night on Friday, November 4, 2022.

It will be a night of fine dining, speeches from inspiring figures and entertainment too. The closing date for HITA submissions is noon on Tuesday, June 14.

For full details about the award categories, awards night and how to enter the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards 2022, visit highland-tourism-awards.co.uk


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More