Several attractions run by Aberdeen City Council have been awarded a top accolade from TripAdvisor for this year.
The city’s beach, the Duthie Park, the Winter Gardens in Duthie Park, the area of Footdee (known as Fittie), Johnston Gardens, Hazlehead Park, Aberdeen Maritime Museum, the Tollbooth Museum, and Aberdeen Art Gallery which is closed for a £30 million refurbishment, have all been given a 2015 Certificate of Excellence by the internationally-recognised tourist review organisation.
They join a total of 40,464 hospitality businesses in the UK which have been awarded the accolade.
Now in its fifth year, the award celebrates excellence in hospitality and is given to about 10% of businesses on listed on TripAdvisor which consistently achieve great traveller reviews on the site. Certificate of Excellence winners include accommodations, eateries and attractions located all over the world that have continually delivered a superior customer experience.
Aberdeen City Council Deputy Leader Marie Boulton said: “This is fantastic that so many of our attractions have been reviewed and marked so highly by people who have visited them, and their high quality has been recognised by TripAdvisor.
“We have many world-class places to go and experience in Aberdeen with something for everyone, whatever the weather and whatever the time of year.
“The Certificates of Excellence are a fantastic accolade to our staff at all of these attractions, who work hard to ensure they are great places to visit.
“With summer just about here, we would encourage everyone – both locals and visitors – to go out and about and discover what’s in the city and the amazing history behind many of our landmarks.”
Friends of Duthie Park chairman Alan Amoore said: “The TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence is recognised globally and not awarded lightly which again emphasises what a fantastic attraction we have here in Aberdeen in Duthie Park and the Winter Gardens.
“It is also further testimony to the unstinting effort undertaken by Duthie Park manager Alan Findlay and his staff to ensure they are maintained in pristine condition all year round.”
Friends of Hazlehead director and spokesman Councillor Ross Thomson said: “To receive TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence is an outstanding achievement. This is a tremendous boost to the City Council and volunteers who have worked so hard and so well together to bring life back to Hazlehead Park.
“We all know that Hazlehead Park is a real jewel in the crown for Aberdeen and to receive this accolade highlights how fortunate we are to have the park on our doorstep. I hope this helps to attract more people back into the park as they become aware of what Hazlehead has to offer. We have embarked on an exciting programme of rejuvenation which is already transforming the park, and there is still a lot more to come – you ain’t seen nothing yet.”