News: Scottish Award for Tour of Britain

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SweetSpot Group, organisers of The Tour of Britain, are celebrating after scooping a prestigious national award at the  Scottish Thistle Awards.

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Photo caption: Paul Bush, Chief Operating Officer at EventScotland presents Angel-Clare Grant and Alastair Grant of The Tour of Britain with the ‘Best Sporting Event’ award at the Scottish Thistle Awards

The Tour of Britain won a Scottish Thistle Award for ‘Best Sporting Event’, at Scotland’s premier tourism awards ceremony on Friday evening (November 15) at Stirling Castle. The award came for 2012’s Stage Three, from Jedburgh to Dumfries, won by Mark Cavendish.

Organised by VisitScotland, the Scottish Thistle Awards recognise the exceptional efforts made by companies and individuals across the industry, including accommodation providers, visitor attractions, tour operators, food and drink establishments and event organisers.

Earlier in the year The Tour of Britain beat competition from around the country in the regional Scottish Thistle Awards ceremony held at New Lanark. They then went on to compete against Tweedlove Bike Festival, Blair Castle International Horse Trials and Country Fair, Culloden Run- Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland to achieve glory in the national finals.

Alastair Grant, Commercial Director of SweetSpot Group who organise and promote The Tour of Britain, said; “We are delighted to win the award for our work on The Tour of Britain and would like to thank our partners at EventScotland, Scottish Cycling, Scottish Borders Council and Dumfries & Galloway Council for their parts in the event’s success.

“The Tour of Britain has been visiting Scotland and Dumfries & Galloway for a number of years with the event continuing to grow in stature and popularity, so are very proud to accept this award in recognition of our efforts.”

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Regional Director of VisitScotland, Paula McDonald commented: “As Scotland prepares to welcome the world in 2014 with a unique line-up of global events, quality is more important than ever. I am thrilled that The Tour of Britain has scooped this well-deserved award for its contribution to tourism and culture in the region. Recognising excellence in the industry is helping Scotland shine and The Tour of Britain has helped put Dumfries & Galloway well and truly on the map! I would also like to congratulate the regional winners who have shown great enthusiasm and commitment and helped demonstrate the quality of the tourism product here in Dumfries & Galloway.”

Tourism Minister Fergus Ewing said: “I’d like to congratulate all the finalists and of course the winners, the Scottish Thistle Awards come at an exciting and historic time for tourism in Scotland. “In the next year, Homecoming Scotland 2014 will position Scotland on the international stage as a dynamic and creative nation. It will extend the benefits and opportunities offered by the Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup by presenting a year-long, co-ordinated programme of events designed to generate pride in the people of Scotland and welcome visitors around the world in a celebration of some of Scotland’s greatest assets.

“The year-long programme of events planned across the country will celebrate the very best of Scotland’s food and drink, our assets as a country of natural beauty as well as our rich creativity and cultural and ancestral heritage. Which is why Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2014 has named Scotland as the third best country to visit in 2014 citing Scotland’s jam-packed schedule of world-class events as reasons to visit in the coming year.”

Now in their 21st year, the Scottish Thistle Awards celebrate excellence and quality within the tourism industry. They are widely recognised as the mark of excellence and professionalism across the industry, awarding businesses’ contributions to making Scotland a top visitor attraction.

The awards were presented at a glittering ceremony at Stirling Castle and hosted by popular GMTV presenter Lorraine Kelly. Regional winners from the North East and Tayside, Central South West and Central Couth East came together with winners from the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards for the national final.

 

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