They are some of the unsung heroes of the tourist industry contributing hundreds of thousands of pounds to Scotland's £6bn annual visitor income.

Now a new event planned for next month (March) will celebrate the achievements of the bed and breakfast industry and look at what it takes to run a successful bed and breakfast business.

Billed as the bed and breakfast event of the year, the conference is the first of its kind in Scotland as organiser Marina Huggett explains:

"There has never been a conference exclusively for the bed and breakfast sector and yet it's a vital part of the tourist industry.

"We felt it was time to not only pay tribute to the hundreds of men and women who work in this sector but look at how we can help make business even better for them."

Called Reach for the Stars the event takes place at the Drumossie Hotel, Inverness on Thursday 6 March. The line-up features inspirational speakers from across the industry including Highland Feast organiser William Cameron, Professor John Lennon of the Moffat Centre for Travel and Tourism Business at Glasgow Caledonian University and Colin MacGregor of Tartan Silk PR.

Award-winning bed and breakfast owners Joan Campbell and Lorraine Freel will be sharing their experiences of what makes for a successful bed and breakfast business.

There will also be the chance to learn tips, tools and ideas for business growth and plenty of networking opportunities.

The conference is being organised by a group of enthusiastic volunteers from the tourism excellence best practice group Right Direction. The event is being supported by HIE Inverness and East Highland and the Highland Council.

For information and booking details visit www.tourism-excellence-scotland.co.uk or call 07920 836021.