Frequently Asked Questions
Q1 - What are the Scottish Thistle Awards?
The Scottish Thistle Awards were established by VisitScotland as one of the actions in the national tourism organisation's strategy to raise standards in Scottish tourism. Originally in partnership with Thistle Hotels, the event has grown from a small ceremony of around 150 attendees to become a year-round programme, celebrating excellence across all of Scotland.
The Scottish Thistle Awards programme is designed to discover and celebrate excellence and innovation by the Scottish tourism industry. The aim is to encourage businesses to be proud of their achievements, share ideas and best practise with their peers, and support growth through raised standards.
Q2 - Why was there a review of the Scottish Thistle Awards?
We can't stand still and to ensure continuous improvement we sought the views of the industry and VisitScotland staff. The Scottish Thistle Awards belong to the Scottish tourism industry and the industry has been instrumental in making the decisions about the future of the awards programme.
Q3 - Who did you ask?
We approached a wide group of people; Associations, DMOs, Local Authorities and private enterprise. We balanced the group amongst those that engage with the awards and those that do not.
Q4 - What was the outcome of the review?
There were 3 main findings:
1. We need to satisfy the industry's appetite for knowledge, advice, support and self confidence to engage with The Scottish Thistle Awards. We need to expand the reach of the Thistle Awards across the industry and reinforce the benefits of entry.
2. We should consider alternative locations for the ceremony and reduce the cost of attendance. We should not make any other changes to the format and must protect its current status and reputation.
3. If Scottish Tourism didn?t have an awards programme, it would have to create one and VisitScotland must take the lead.
Q5 - What's new?
Year Round Programme - The requirement is to deliver a year round programme of industry facing activity which will provide businesses with a campaign of encouragement, support, information, case studies and advice throughout the year. Ongoing communication of the core message that excellence and innovation are at the heart of Scottish Tourism.
Regional Awards. There will be four regional awards covering the following areas: Highlands and Islands, North East, South and Central East and South and Central West. The winners of the Regional Awards will become the finalists of the Scottish Thistle Awards 2012.
Categories - The categories are designed to reward people as well as businesses. They are clearer, easier to engage with and focus on industry priorities.
Q6- Regional Awards? What are they?
The regional awards have been created in response to industry wishes. The programme will focus on excellence in the regions of Scotland to encourage and support businesses to enter, competing against their peers.
Q7 - An Award programme? What's in it for me?
Previous entrants have told us that developing their entry is an invaluable way to reflect on their business actions, examine and quantify success and identify opportunities. It's a great way to identify the achievements and contributions made by owners and staff to their business success.
Because of the process and questions asked, it's a highly valuable exercise even if they didn?t intend to submit an entry.
Many make great use of the awards programme as an opportunity to draw on a wealth of information, advice and support from previous Scottish Thistle Awards winners, finalists and organisations like VisitScotland.
By submitting an entry they are having an external panel of experts benchmark their business practices against others and use the feedback to inform future actions.
The Scottish Thistle Awards are an opportunity for businesses to engage with VisitScotland, other supporting agencies and peers from across Scotland.
It provides a vehicle for entrants, finalists and winners to shout about the fantastic and innovative work that they do.
The opportunity to share best practice with like minded businesses, inspire each other and make valuable business links which may not be apparent by other means.
To achieve finalist or winner status provides the business with a promotional tool to tell their customers they are the best in the business. And they even get a trophy/certificate to put on display!
Q8 - Who can take part?
The Award categories are designed to be applicable to all Scottish tourism businesses regardless of size, budget or location. For the forthcoming programme, the awards will celebrate the achievements and development of our people and the unique experiences we provide for our visitors.
Q9 - When Can I Enter
Entries will open November 15th
Start thinking about which categories you may wish to focus on now and decide what results and evidence you will need to gather to support your entry.
Q10 - What categories are available to enter?
There will be 12 categories:
* First Data Merchant Solutions - Best Hotel Award
* Best Guest House or B&B Award
* Best Self-Serve Accommodation Award
* Best Café, Bar or Restaurant Award
* Strathmore Spring Water - Best Visitor Attraction Award
* Best Cultural Event Award
* Best Sporting Event Award
* Best Shopping Experience Award
* Scottish Natural Heritage - Best Nature Based Experience Award
* Training and Skills Development Award
* Historic Scotland - Tourism Entrepreneur Award
* VisitBritain - Marketing Campaign of the Year Award
Q11 - Can I enter more than one category?
Yes
Q12 - Can I enter more than one Region?
You can enter more than one region if your business operates in more than one region. You must complete an entry form for each region you are entering.
The regions are as follows:
o South and Central East - Edinburgh City Council, East Lothian Council, Midlothian Council, West Lothian Council, Scottish Borders Council, Fife Council, Perth & Kinross Council, Stirling Council, Clackmannanshire Council, Falkirk Council
o Highlands & Islands - Highland Council, Moray Council, Comharile nan Eilean Siar, Orkney Islands Council, Shetland Islands Council
o North East - Dundee City Council, Angus Council, Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council
o South and Central West - East Ayrshire Council, North Ayrshire Council, South Ayrshire Council, Dumfries & Galloway Council, Glasgow City Council, Renfrewshire Council, East Renfrewshire Council, Inverclyde Council, West Dunbartonshire Council, East Dunbartonshire Council, North Lanarkshire Council, South Lanarkshire Council, Argyll & Bute Council
*Note - Highlands & Islands - VisitScotland are proud to partner with the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards, Scotland's largest tourism industry awards covering the Highlands and Islands region
Q13 - What if my business is national and not specific to a region?
Companies who operate on a national basis, in particular with respect to marketing, training or pan Scotland products will have the opportunity to enter more than one region to demonstrate success in each location.
For example: If a company operates across Scotland with a national scheme of training and development, they are asked to submit entries citing examples of how the scheme translates across the business on a local basis. The categories are specifically looking for the outcomes of businesses practices which can differ in operation in different parts of Scotland. Those businesses have the opportunity therefore to be recognised for their efforts in each region.
Q14 - Is there a cost for entering?
The Scottish Thistle Awards does not charge for entry. However we do appreciate that the process of entering will take time and effort from each entrant which is a cost in itself. The Scottish Thistle Awards team will be here to help!
Q15 - Sounds great! How do I enter?
Entries can be made through the website. All categories, questions and the entry form are available online.
Entries can only be accepted via the website. We cannot accept postal entries.
Q16 - Can I submit supporting literature with my entry?
Yes. With your online entry you can upload digital files to support your submission. These files can be images, documents or spreadsheets. Files do have a limit in size - 5MB is the largest per file.
Q17 - Can I contact you at any time?
Yes of course! You can contact us in the following ways:
Telephone: 0131 472 2228
Online: www.scottishthistleawards.co.uk
Email:
Or contact your VisitScotland Quality Tourism Advisor.
Q18 - Will there be any events I can attend to help me?
Yes, we will be publishing a series of events and workshops which are designed to help and offer guidance.
In addition, the new website will have hints and tips from the Scottish Thistle Awards team and case studies from Scottish Thistle Award winners
Q19 - When do entries close?
Entries will close on 2nd March 2012 at 17:00 hrs
Q20 - Does that mean there won't be a Scottish Thistle Award ceremony in 2011?
Yes. A key element of the research was that entries should take place during the winter period to allow businesses to submit more detailed information about most recent campaigns. To facilitate this, and to support greater engagement with the industry, we have created an 18 month programme for the 20th Scottish Thistle Awards, becoming a year round programme for the future.
Q21 - When will the final award ceremony take place?
The ceremony will take place on 9th November 2012.
Q22 - When will I hear if my entry has been successfully shortlisted?
Finalists from the regional awards will be notified shortly after judging has been completed. The winners will be announced at regional engagement events. The winners will then become the shortlisted of the national awards at the final ceremony in November 2012.
Q23 - How are the regional entries judged?
There will be a team of judges from across Scotland. The judges will be split into panels within each region and given categories to judge.
Each region will be judged independently of the others - they have no idea which businesses have entered other regions. Each judging panel will also judge independently from each other. When they have all judged their entries they will then meet and agree the shortlisted.
Q24 - If I win in my region, how do I progress to the national awards?
The winners from the regional awards will be the finalist in the National Awards. These will be judged by a second judging panel and winners will be announced at the final ceremony in November 2012.
Winners will not have to re-enter or change their entries. Their winning entry will be reviewed against the other regional winners in their categories.
Q25 - Can I get feedback regarding my entry?
Yes! In past years we have written to all entrants to invite them to contact us for feedback. For the 20th Scottish Thistle Awards we will automatically update all entrants a summary of feedback from the judges.
Q26 - How can I get a ticket to the final ceremony?
Tickets will go on sale in June 2012. Further details will become available on the website www.scottishthistleawards.co.uk in due course.
Q27 - I am based in the Highlands, How do I enter?
We are partnering with the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards to deliver regional awards for the Highlands. If your business is based in the Highlands, or you have a highland product then you enter the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards via their website.
www.highland-tourism.co.uk
Categories and questions are the same, entries open late February so you have a bit more time!
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