Best Nature Based Experience
Iconic wildlife, outstanding landscapes – Scotland’s accessible natural environment is a key tourism asset with nature-based tourism making a significant contribution to the sector. The direct economic impact of nature based tourism is £1.4 billion per annum. Tourist spending on nature based activities is worth nearly 40% of all tourism spending in Scotland and 39,000 jobs are reliant on this sector.
This category celebrates the finest examples of Scotland’s renowned reputation for exemplary service and experience to the visitor. Businesses large and small that are directly involved in providing a visitor experience, focused on engaging with and showcasing Scotland’s nature and environment. This category is appropriate to any business who offers their customers an experience of wildlife watching, enjoying the landscape, walking, adventure activities and field sports.
Evidence of how nature based tourism is core to your businesses value and product. A demonstration of innovation in nature tourism to generate growth. A close understanding of environmental impacts and how the business is sympathetic to Scotland’s natural assets.
Entry Information
- Describe the visitor experience and how it incorporates a nature based experience. What makes you a leader in nature based tourism and demonstrate what responsible practices towards nature are applied in your business? What challenges were you faced with and how did you manage them? Describe the innovative ways in which you engage with and describe the natural surroundings for your customers. (10 points)
- Outline key features of your business plan, covering objectives, strategies and outcomes. Demonstrate your return on investment. Explain how your business has experienced growth? Please provide examples and any relevant data. (10 points)
- Describe what investments have been made in staff training and development and how these have improved services. Provide evidence of how this has been put into practice and how it has improved the level of customer satisfaction. Explain how you measure the return on investment. (10 points)
- Outline your accessible and sustainable policies and the practical measures you employ. How do you balance the impact of visitors with the physical environment? How do you address seasonality and what action do you take to support development of a low carbon industry? (10 points)
- Demonstrate your approach to promotion and marketing. How do you attract new and repeat business? How do you work with, support and influence the rest of the industry? Provide examples of how you communicate improvements/promotions to your visitors and what impact this had on your business. How do you gather customer feedback and how do you react to both negative and positive comments? (10 points)
