Hospitality assured in Western Isles

Two Western Isles tourism businesses recently became the first in the islands to be awarded with prestigious Hospitality Assured (HA) accreditation for service and business excellence.

The Royal Hotel in Stornoway and Blue Reef Cottages in Scarista, Harris have been part of a Hospitality Assured pilot project which has been operating since November 2004. The project is supported by Western Isles Enterprise (WIE) with funding contributed by both Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the EU's European Social Fund.

The two businesses were among six who were presented with their awards by Stuart Black, chief executive, HIE Inverness and East Highland, at an event held at the Rocpool Reserve Boutique Hotel and Restaurant in Inverness.

Donnie Macaulay, chief executive of WIE said: “The Hospitality Assured assessment process is demanding and rigorous and we are delighted both Blue Reef Cottages and the Royal Hotel have worked so hard and been innovative in what they have done to achieve their accreditation.”

A further 17 organisations throughout the Western Isles are also in the project and working towards accreditation. Most are tourism and hospitality businesses.

Throughout the Highlands and Islands a total of 150 organisations are working with Hospitality Assured to improve their business practices with a particular emphasis on excellence in customer service.

Pictured above are Rhoda Campbell, the owner of Blue Reef Cottages, and Alexander MacLeod, general manager of the Royal Hotel - with the owner of Rocpool Reserve, Adrian Pieraccini.