Scottish company ‘highly commended’ by responsible travel awards
Last year’s VisitScotland Tourism Business of the Year has now been recognised in the global First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards 2006.
Edinburgh-based Wilderness Scotland has been named runner-up in the Best Tour Operator category at the awards in London on the 8th November, gaining ‘Highly Commended’ status. The company beat off competition from over 1200 nominations and was praised for its inspiring adventure trips to the most remote and beautiful regions of the Highlands and Islands in Scotland, which are run in an environmentally sensitive manner and bring benefits to the local communities they visit.
Sandy Dear of VisitScotland’s Sustainable Tourism Unit welcomed the accolade and said: “Wilderness Scotland is the first Scottish tourism business to be recognised in this way in these awards, I’d urge more Scottish businesses to follow in their footsteps”.
The First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards are the largest of their kind in the world. The principle behind the Awards is that all types of tourism – from niche to mainstream – can and should be operated in a way that respects and benefits destinations and local people. Winners are initially nominated by tourists (readers of The Times, responsibletravel.com & Geographical Magazine), which is an accolade in itself.
Wilderness Scotland offers adventure holidays in some of the most remote parts of the country. Their holidays are carefully managed and balanced with the social and environmental needs of the communities and wild places they visit.
For every trip created they work with local businesses, use local accommodation, and encourage clients to travel by public transport. Where air travel is unavoidable, they offer clients the opportunity to make their journey ‘carbon neutral’. During all trips, experienced guides ensure that groups have the absolute minimum impact on the fragile mountain and marine areas which they visit.
For more information:
• www.wildernessscotland.com
• www.responsibletravel.com/copy/copy102214.htm
• For examples of Scottish sustainable tourism businesses, visit www.greentourism.org.uk/case-studies.html
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