Vote now for your favourite Dumfries & Galloway hospitality and tourist hotspots
Nominations are open for the prestigious Scottish Thistle Awards
Last updated 1st Mar 2024
After a hugely successful first year, the South of Scotland’s regional Thistle Awards are back for 2024, showcasing the finest in Scottish tourism and hospitality across the region, with nominations open from March 1 and a dedicated online session on offer to help businesses craft a winning entry.
Spearheaded at national level by VisitScotland, in collaboration with regional partners, the 2024 awards commemorate the 30th anniversary of the esteemed Scottish Thistle Awards Programme.
Last year the first ever South of Scotland Thistle Awards took place, culminating in a fabulous awards celebration at the Cairndale Hotel in Dumfries attended by the leading lights of tourism and hospitality from right across the region.
The success didn’t end there, either – the South of Scotland triumphed at the national finals, taking home six Scottish Thistle Awards, double the number scooped by any other single region.
Nominations are open now – and entries on 18 March - for the regional 2024 South of Scotland Thistle Awards, again proudly sponsored by Caledonia Park and Fishers and delivered by the South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA), supported by South of Scotland Enterprise.
Through this initial stage, members of the public can show their support and appreciation for a hotel, restaurant, visitor attraction or event whose quality and excellence makes them a prime contender for an award by nominating businesses to consider applying once direct entries open on 18 March.
Entries must be submitted by the closing date of 28 April 2024, with the regional shortlist due to be announced in July.
Plans are already well under way for this year’s awards celebration on Thursday 3 October, with the venue to be announced in the coming weeks.
Showcasing the very best in tourism and hospitality across the South of Scotland, the 2024 Thistle Awards feature a new ‘Rising Star’ award category for 2024, recognising emerging talent shaping the future of tourism in the region.
Last year, the South of Scotland Thistle Awards saw 112 entries and more than 200 nominations. To help businesses craft a winning Thistle Awards application, the SSDA are hosting a free webinar on 7 March, guiding participants through the nomination process for the 2024 Thistle Awards.
David Hope-Jones OBE, Chief Executive of the South of Scotland Destination AllianceDavid Hope-Jones OBE, Chief Executive of the <a class="article-body-link" href="https://www.ssdalliance.com/thistles/" target="_blank">South of Scotland Destination Alliance</a> (SSDA) said: “Last year’s inaugural South of Scotland Thistle awards were a brilliant success, and it was wonderful to see so many quality businesses from the South of Scotland being recognised by their industry peers in the region and throughout Scotland. "If you know a tourism or hospitality business in your local community that deserves to be celebrated for excellence and innovation, then this is the time. Get your nomination in and show them your support!”