Frightfully fantastic finalists’ ​list announced for Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism Awards

The finalists for the 2024 Aberdeen City and Shire Thistle Awards have been revealed today, showcasing the best of the region's tourism and hospitality sector.

Northern Frights, which organises horror events has scooped finalist positions in three categories - Inclusive Tourism, Innovation in Tourism and Tourism Individual of the Year.

The awards, which are organised by a committee of volunteers from the industry and supported by sponsors, celebrate excellence and innovation in businesses and individuals across the North-east of Scotland.

A total of 43 finalists in 15 categories will compete for the coveted awards, which recognise achievements in areas such as accommodation, food, events, culture, sustainability and emerging talent. The winners will be announced at a gala dinner at The Chester Hotel in Aberdeen on Friday, September 20, 2024 and will go on to represent the region at the national Thistle Awards.

The shortlist reflects the diversity and quality of the region's tourism offering, with finalists ranging from the horror themes events to the traditional boat festival in Portsoy. From a former prison visitor attraction to crime writing festival. Some of the highlights include:

• 25-year-old Erica Simona Parfene, general manager of Shot n Roll café in Aberdeen, is nominated for the MacRobert Trust Rising Star award.
• Big Hop Trail, a sculpture trail with 40 individually designed six foot hare sculptures across the Norht-east, Orkney and Shetland, which is nominated in the Outstanding Event or Festival category.
• Kildrummy Inn by Alford, a family run historic inn with an award-winning restaurant which has recently been refurbished which is one of the three finalists in the Best Hotel Experience category.

Stephen Gow, chairman of Aberdeen City and Shire Thistle Awards, says: "We are delighted to announce the finalists for the 2024 awards, which demonstrate the resilience, creativity and excellence of our tourism and hospitality sector. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, these businesses and individuals have continued to deliver outstanding products and services that enhance the reputation of our region as a world-class destination.

"We would like to thank all the entrants, judges and sponsors for their support and involvement in the awards, and we look forward to celebrating with the finalists and announcing the winners in September."

Stephen continues: "The finalists for the 2024 awards reflect the strength and diversity of our tourism and hospitality sector, which continues to demonstrate remarkable adaptability and innovation in the face of challenges facing the entire tourism sector. These businesses and individuals have not only maintained, but also improved the quality and variety of products and services that make our region a world-class destination.

"We are also pleased to see so many new entrants and finalists this year, which is a testament to the resilience and growth of our sector. This is one of the best years for entry numbers, and we are proud of all the entrants, judges and sponsors who have contributed to the success of the awards.

"Our sponsors ensure that we can run the awards annually, keeping them free to enter and allowing our judging to include face to face interviews with nominees and incognito visits so that we are not judging merely on the paper submission. Our thanks go to all of our sponsors for their generous support of not just the awards but of tourism in our area in its widest sense. We look forward to announcing the winners in September and celebrating their achievements."

Tickets for the awards dinner are now available via the awards website – www.actsa.co.uk.

The full list of 2024 finalists is:

MacRobert Trust Rising Star

• Erica Simona Parfene - Shot n Roll
• Ellie Gray - The Chester Hotel
• Rohan Paunikar - The Balmoral Arms

Tourism Individual of the Year

• Alison Christie - Leonardo Hotels
• Laura Ripley - Northern Frights
• Jacqueline Van Den Akker - Grampian Escapes & Tours

Tourism & Hospitality Employer of Year

• Shiprow Village
• The Fife Arms
• Leonardo Hotels

Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival

• Big Hop Trail
• Scottish Traditional Boat Festival
• Granite Noir - Aberdeen Performing Arts

Innovation in Tourism

• Cairngorms Glamping and Camping
• Cairngorm Bothies
• Northern Frights and Fantasy Scotland

Inclusive Tourism

• Farm Stop
• Codonas
• Northern Frights

Climate Action

• Cairngorm Bothies
• The Bay Fish and Chips

Best Visitor Attraction

• Gordon Highlanders
• Glen Garioch
• Peterhead Prison Museum

Best Self Catering or Unique Stay

• Deveronside Fishing and Lodges
• Wildflower Eco Lodges
• Cowden Farm Holidays

Best Hotel Experience

• Kildrummy Inn
• Sandman Signature
• Meldrum House Country Hotel

Best Eating Experience

• The Silver Darling
• The Library at Douneside
• Tarragon

Best B & B or Guesthouse

• No 45 Ballater
• The Auld Kirk Ballater

Best Outdoor or Adventure Experience

• Farm Stop
• Wild Braemar
• Twin Peakes Fly Fishing

Celebrating Thriving Communities

• Aberdeen Performing Arts
• The Barn
• We Too

Best Bar or Pub

• The Craftsman Company
• Harbour Bar Gourdon
• Malones Aberdeen

For more information about the awards, visit www.acsta.co.uk.