Loch Ness Monster receives nomination for Highland Ambassador of the Year 2010 award.

The Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards (HITA) event management team were delighted to read the latest nomination for the Highland Ambassador of the Year category, which proposed The Loch Ness Monster for the honour.

Now in their fifth year, HITA is an industry led event guided by tourism leaders from the Highlands and Islands of Scotland which recognises and rewards excellence in all sectors of the region’s tourism industry.  Elizabeth Mackintosh, chairwoman of HITA said:

“Under normal circumstances all entries and nominations are held strictly confidentially but we felt that we had to share this one with the public.  Nessie has made a major impact on the positive profile of the Highlands and Islands worldwide over the years and perhaps we should seriously consider this nomination for HITA’s Highland Ambassador of the Year 2010.

The entry submitted last month under the pseudonym ‘The Snitch’ read:

“I would like to nominate “Nessie” for this award because she has been an unstinting supporter of Highland and Islands Tourism for over 1500 years.  Her regular appearances in the Loch over the centuries has attracted a vast amount of tourists to the area and helped to sustain communities all across the north of Scotland as a result of many visitors touring the Highlands in addition to visiting Loch Ness.

“Although she has been described as a ‘monster’, Nessie has never attacked any swimmers or bathers, nor has she capsized any boats in the loch.  Her timely appearances have been carefully measured to tempt many visitors and researchers to come to Loch Ness.  Her charisma and public appeal has also been a major indicator of her inspirational and leadership qualities.

“Recognition of Nessie’s sterling work is long overdue and I would highly commend to the judging panel that serious consideration be given to her winning the prestigious title of Highland Ambassador of the Year 2010.”

The board will welcome further nominations for Nessie or any other individual considered to be deserving of the Highland Ambassador of the Year 2010 accolade.  The entry process for each of the 12 categories is free and nominations and entries are accepted online at www.highland-tourism-awards.co.uk.  The closing date for registration is Friday 3^rd September and the deadline for entries is Monday 6^th September.

The 12 categories for 2010 are Best Use of Social Media Award sponsored by 4TM, Best Visitor Experience Award sponsored by Chivas, Community Tourism Initiative Award sponsored by Highland Council, Customer Care Award sponsored by VisitScotland, Developing People Award sponsored by Babcock, Highland Ambassador of the Year, Highland Dining Out Experience Award sponsored by Scottish Provincial Press, Young Ambassador of the Year Award sponsored by Royal Bank of Scotland, Leadership Award sponsored by Inverness College & UHI Millennium Institute, Marketing Initiative Award sponsored by British Waterways and The Green Award sponsored by Kennan Recycling and Most Enterprising Business in the Great Outdoors Award sponsored by the Cairngorms National Park Authority.

The shortlisted finalists will be announced in October and the winning businesses and individuals will be revealed at the awards ceremony and gala dinner at the Drumossie Hotel in Inverness on Friday, 19^th November.  The high profile event attracts more than 350 representatives from the region’s top tourism, hospitality, and leisure and travel businesses.

Categories: Event Awards

Tags: Event Industry Awards, Event Magazine, Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards 2010, HITA

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Adam Parry is the editor for Event Industry News. If you would like to get in touch and learn more about Event Industry News email editor@eventindustrynews.co.uk.