The Inverness Courier – Calum MacLeod

Hospitality businesses are showing an appetite for sharing their good news with record entry numbers for the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards (HITA).

There are 18 categories in this year’s awards, with most of the winners going on to the national Scottish Thistle Awards, where Highlands and Islands winners have enjoyed considerable success in recent years.

HITA chairman Laurence Young was delighted by the response and commented: “After undoubtedly the toughest two years our industry colleagues have ever faced, it is terrific to see so many businesses entering this year’s awards.

“The awards have always been a showcase for the very best of our sector, but this year they will also showcase innovation and resilience in this time of unprecedented challenge and I look forward to hearing their stories.”

One person who knows how to tell a story that grabs the judges’ attention is past HITA winner Emma Clark of the five-star Glenegedale House guest house on Islay.

Emma, a three time HITA winner, warned not to leave things too late.

“Give yourself time to think about it and don’t do it all in one go. There are always things you think about later and which you will want to add,” she advised.

One tip Emma shares is to stick the application on your fridge and keep a pen close by so you can make additions as they occur.