The head housekeeper at Jurys Inn (Aberdeen Airport), No. 10 Bar & Restaurant and Mill of Nethermill Holidays have been crowned the best in Scotland at Scottish tourism’s equivalent of the Oscars.
Jean Ryrie picked up Braehead Foods - Tourism & Hospitality Hero, while the No. 10 Bar & Restaurant took home Best Informal Eating Experience and Mill of Nethermill Holidays took Best Accommodation Provider at the Scottish Thistle Awards National Final.
The glittering ceremony, held during Scottish Tourism Week, took place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre hosted by TV presenter and Deacon Blue drummer, Dougie Vipond, and presenter and former Miss Scotland, Jennifer Reoch.
The 2016/2017 Scottish Thistle Awards, in association with Fishers, recognise innovation, excellence and success in the hospitality and tourism industry – rewarding hotels, restaurants, B&Bs, visitor attractions, events and individuals who go that extra mile to provide customers with exceptional service.
Jean Ryrie, head housekeeper at Jurys Inn, Aberdeen Airport, said: “I am very humbled winning this reward as I feel very natural in looking after the customers at all times. I feel it is a big part of my job to respond to the needs and request of the customers and treat them as I would like to be treated.”
No. 10 Bar & Restaurant, in the city’s Queen's Terrace, was described by Thistle judges as “outstanding”. They commended their “courageous business strategy” and “excellent customer service”.
Alan Aitken, operations director at No. 10 Bar & Restaurant, said: “We are absolutely delighted to win the award for best informal dining experience. Since we first launched the business, our team has worked tirelessly to provide the North-east with the best customer service and quality produce so they can enjoy eating local and they have truly made the business the success it is today.
“Aberdeen is facing a tough time right now but we were determined to create something exciting for the city and winning this award helps to shine a spotlight on the North-east’s tourism sector and what it has to offer. We also have to say a big thank you to our loyal customers who have embraced the new style No.10 and supported us from day one.”
Thistle judges commended Mill of Nethermill Holidays in Fraserburgh for its focus on sustainability and “active engagement with local groups” resulting in “impressive results” on customer feedback.
Bill Pitt who owns Mill of Nethermill Holidays with his wife Lynn, said: “We are thrilled to have received the Scottish Thistle Award for Best Accommodation Provider. Representing Aberdeenshire in this category was an honour in itself, and to have won on a national basis is more than we could have ever imagined.
“Our guests helped to make this award possible, and we would like to thank them for choosing stay at Mill of Nethermill Holidays. We also believe that working closely with other businesses in our local tourism industry helped us to shape our business in a positive way.”
A total of 14 awards were handed out on the night including Caledonian MacBrayne Best Cultural Event or Festival, Fishers Most Hospitable Hotel, J Thomson Colour Printers Best Restaurant Experience and ScotRail Best Visitor Attraction.
Comedian Des Clarke and Scottish band, Prides, provided the evening’s entertainment.
Tourism Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “The Scottish Thistle Awards recognise excellence and reward the creativity and innovation that underpins Scotland’s tourism sector.
“Scotland’s tourism businesses, and their 217,000 jobs, work incredibly hard to make our country a must-visit destination, and ensure visitors are assured of a warm welcome.”
Rebecca Brooks, chair of the Scottish Thistle Awards Industry Panel and VisitScotland Board member, said: “Congratulations to all of the winners at the 2016/17 Scottish Thistle Awards National Final. They represent the best of the best in Scotland and epitomise the strength and depth of the tourism and hospitality experience across the country.
“The Scottish tourism industry and hospitality sector prides itself on delivering a rewarding experience for visitors and all of our finalists should be proud of their achievements in reaching the final – which, in itself, is both a recognition of excellence and innovation, and a sign of quality.
“Tourism is the heartbeat of the Scottish economy – supporting communities and creating jobs throughout the year in every corner of the country. We look forward to the 2017/18 Scottish Thistle Awards when we will celebrate the achievements of our industry colleagues during our 25th anniversary year.”
Scott Inglis, commercial director at Fishers, said: “We have supported the Scottish Thistle Awards for three years and are proud to have been the headline sponsor this year. At Fishers we don’t just think of ourselves as a laundry company, we know that we are an important part of Scotland’s tourism sector and we’re happy to show our support to other businesses in this sector.
“Last night we celebrated all the hard work that goes into making tourism a success in Scotland and there is a great deal to be proud of. All of the finalists deserve to be commended for their contribution to tourism and we would like to extend our congratulations to all of the winners.”
Jo Robinson, regional director at VisitScotland, said: “Huge congratulations to Mill of Nethermill Holidays, Jean Ryrie and the No. 10 Bar & Restaurant for being crowned the best in Scottish tourism.
“Tourism is more than a holiday experience – it creates jobs and sustains communities across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire and all finalists should be proud of their achievements in reaching this stage.
“These awards recognise the drive and passion the industry has for creating an unforgettable experience for visitors and I’m delighted that some of Scotland’s top businesses are found right here on our doorstep.”
This year the Scottish Thistle Awards received a record-breaking number of entries, totalling 715, amounting to a 16% increase on last year.
The flagship tourism awards are organised by VisitScotland and led by an industry panel, including Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism Awards, Highlands & Islands Tourism Awards, the Hospitality Industry Trust Scotland, Scotland Food and Drink, Scottish Tourism Alliance, the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, sportscotland and Wild Scotland.
The regional finals were: Central, Fife & Tayside; Lothians & Borders; West; Highlands and Islands, organised by the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards; and Aberdeen City and Shire, organised by Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism Awards.