Scottish Thistle Awards 2000 - Winners - Area Tourism Initiative

Winner - Isle of Arran Taste Trail
Initiated in 1998, The Isle of Arran Taste Trail is a visitor''s guide to good food and good eating on the Island of Arran. This informative guide features Scottish producers, restaurants and retailers with a commitment to high standards and promoting locally produced food. The project aims to encourage visitors to stay, linger and return, by promoting the island as a destination where high quality food is available. Research indicates that a large majority of respondents were encouraged not only to eat out more often, but to spend more on meals containing local food and a staggering 88% thought that the quality of Arran''s food would influence their decision to return to the island.

Contact Maureen McKenna
Tel: 01546 602 281
www.tastetrail.com 

Media Contact Maureen McKenna
Tel: 01770 870337

Finalist - Scottish Borders Tourist Board: Visiting Friends and Relatives Promotion
After commencing in June 1999, the ''Visiting Friends and Relatives'' promotion now accounts for 30% of visitor figures to the Scottish Borders. This innovative public relations programme set about familiarising local residents with things to do and see and to make them aware that they have a role to play in the success of their area. The programme was carried out through local radio and press and featured the ''Brain of the Borders'' competition, with the issue of passports with discounts for visitor attractions and eating out in the Borders. A ''Junior Brain of the Borders'' competition aimed at schools was also organised to create a greater understanding from the youth of the importance of tourism in the area. Visits by residents to Tourist Information Centres rose, with research showing an increase in over 1000 visits.

Finalist - Skye and Lochalsh Food and Drink Festival 1999
Initiated by Skye & Lochalsh Enterprise and with additional finding from LEADER II, Highland Council and Highlands of Scotland Tourist Board, the objective of the project was to promote Skye & Lochalsh as a quality destination for local food and drink. A wide programme of events took place including promotions, demonstrations, workshops, competitions and beer and whisky tasting. The festival featured in an entire edition of the TV programme ''Scotland's Larder'' with extensive articles and media coverage generating around 50 000 of publicity. Around 1,200 people attended the festival, of which 40% were visitors. Results were very positive and organisers plan to build on the event with major sponsorship and private sector support.Link