Gavin Ellis: ‘Everybody has to be more cost conscious’

THE tourism industry has changed a great deal since the Scottish Thistle Awards were first held. Areas like the Highlands are much stronger than they were 20 years ago, for example.

An event like this obviously has had a strong format in the past, but they also have to evolve to keep up with the industry. VisitScotland has clearly listened to a lot of the comments from the industry and these are reflected in the changes that are being made.

Some people felt that it was an event mainly for the central belt, while it just didn’t register with many others in the more rural areas.

VisitScotland obviously feels that by expanding it out into four regional events first will actually help these areas more than having one big event.

An important change is that it is much easier for people to apply for an award in the winter, when it is less busy, and it good to see that happening.

I don’t think it would have been right to change the format of the event too much, and people will still see it as the Oscars of the industry.

But everybody has to be much more cost conscious these days and that has maybe been a factor in the past with people considering whether to enter.

• Gavin Ellis is owner of the Knockomie Hotel in Forres and a former winner of the Silver Thistle award.