Press release -
Outlander author receives top tourism award
Diana Gabaldon was honoured at the Scottish Thistle Awards (14 March) for the effect her creation has had on Scottish tourism.
The Outlander author received the a special “International Contribution to Scottish Tourism” award from VisitScotland at the industry’s premier awards ceremony held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, to mark the 50th anniversary of the national tourism organisation.
The American writer was presented the award by Lord Thurso, Chair of VisitScotland.
The Outlander Effect & Tourism paper, published by the tourism body’s Insight team, reveals that attractions used in the popular television adaptation of her famous novels have seen visitor numbers soar by 67% since 2013, from 887,000 to 1.5 million in 2017.
The special award was created by book sculptor, Thomas Wightman.
On receiving the award, Ms Gabaldon said: "It's fabulous. I hear a great deal from fans of mine who have read the books and seen the TV show who come to Scotland, because they all write to tell me how wonderful it was and they send me souvenirs of their trips.
"I have a stack of postcards as well as a small number of Loch Ness monsters scattered around the house."
To view The Outlander Effect & Tourism visit: https://www.visitscotland.org/research-insights/about-our-visitors/interests-activities/film-tv
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Topics
- Tourism
Categories
- outlander
- film tourism
- corporate communications
- scottish thistle awards
Regions
- Scotland
Notes to Editors
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- VisitScotland is Scotland’s national tourism organisation. Its core purpose is to maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland.
- The organisation’s core objective is to contribute to the Tourism 2020 Strategy ambition of growing tourism revenues by £1 billion by 2020.
- This will be supported by five overarching strategies: Marketing, Events, Quality and Sustainability, Inclusive Tourism, International Engagement.
- The organisation employs 700 people and has offices and VisitScotland Information Centres across Scotland.
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Scotland’s Themed Years
- Following an industry consultation, the Themed Years will now take place every second year to enable more time for planning and opportunities for collaboration.
- 2020 has been designated as a year in which Scotland’s Coasts and Waters will be showcased and celebrated with a programme of activity designed to support the nation’s tourism and events sectors.
- The year, led by VisitScotland will sustain and build upon the momentum of Scotland’s preceding Themed Years to spotlight, celebrate and promote opportunities to experience and enjoy Scotland’s unrivalled Coasts and Waters, encouraging responsible engagement and participation from the people of Scotland and our visitors.
- A year-long programme of events, activities and ideas will shine a spotlight on the impact our waters have had on Scotland, from the formation of beautiful natural features to the creation of our national drink – whisky.
- Join the conversation using #YCW2020
- 2022 will be the Year of Scotland’s Stories - a celebration of our rich literature, film, oral traditions and myths and legends.
