Press release -
Tree-top quality!
Two recent achievements by Go Ape prove that the outdoors forest adventure specialist continues to go from strength to strength in Scotland and is offering a visitor experience of outstanding quality.
With 31 sites across the UK, Go Ape opened the first of its three Scottish sites - at Aberfoyle, in the stunning surroundings of Queen Elizabeth Forest Park within Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park - in 2007, before adding the Crathes, Aberdeenshire and Glentress Forest, Peebles sites to the business.
Boasting a range of exhilarating zip wires (including some of the longest and highest in Britain), Tarzan swings, rope ladders, crossings and obstacles, Go Ape Aberfoyleprovides a perfect forest playground for thrill-seekers and those who want to enjoy exciting outdoors challenges and a memorable, fun experience amidst the tree-tops and spectacular views.
The team at Go Ape Aberfoyle has worked hard to provide outstanding facilities and ensure superb customer service and their efforts were rewarded when, following an assessment visit by VisitScotland towards the end of last year, they won the national tourism organisation’s top Quality Assurance award. Go Ape was named a 5-star Activity Centre, taking the elite group of businesses across Scotland which boast this superior designation to 25.
Developed and improved over 30 years, VisitScotland’s Quality Assurance scheme provides visitors with an independent, impartial and trusted guide to standards. The scheme is delivered by a dedicated team of experts who offer businesses advice and support on how to not only meet visitor expectations but exceed them. It was set up to drive standards and encourage excellence whilst helping businesses reach their full potential and secure their success - and that in turn delivers great results for Scotland’s tourism industry and economy.
5-Star awards - which are only bestowed on businesses achieving exceptional standards consistently across a wide range of aspects including customer care - are very valuable assets as they help their recipients promote the excellence of their facilities, activities and entertainment.
In addition to its 5-Star award, Go Ape Aberfoyle has scored a major success at Scottish tourism’s equivalent of the Oscars - The Scottish Thistle Awards, which recognise and celebrate excellence and exceptional service in the industry.
At the Central, Fife & Tayside regional finals of this year’s Thistle Awards, Go Ape Aberfoyle beat stiff competition from the other nominees Action Glen and Highland Fling Bungee, both of Perth & Kinross, to be named Best Outdoor/Adventure Experience Regional Winner. Go Ape Aberfoyle will now join the other regional winners from across Scotland at the glittering Scottish Thistle Awards National Finals which will take place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on 16 March 2017.
Go Ape Aberfoyle Site Manager Steven McGirr said:
“We aim to offer an adventurous and unforgettable experience so we were thrilled to be awarded our 5-star Activity Centre grading and become a Scottish Thistle Awards Regional Winner for Best Outdoor/Adventure Experience. Both accolades are a fantastic recognition of the outstanding quality of the facilities and customer service we provide at Go Ape and are a real testament to the hard work and dedication of all of our team at Aberfoyle.
“We’re looking forward to going forward to the Scottish Thistle Awards National Finals and are hoping that we’ll turn our recent successes into a hat trick.”
VisitScotland Regional Partnerships Director Liz Buchanan MBE said:
“I’m delighted that the excellence of Go Ape Aberfoyle has been acknowledged both through the Scottish Thistle Awards and VisitScotland’s Quality Assurance scheme. The 5 Star grading is great news for the business and for the wider Trossachs area as it further enhances its reputation as a wonderful destination which offers a great range of first-class outdoor activities. My congratulations go to everyone at Go Ape Aberfoyle on these outstanding achievements and wish them continued success for the future.”
For information on Go Ape! Aberfoyle, visit:https://goape.co.uk/days-out/aberfoyle
For more details on VisitScotland’s Quality Assurance scheme, please visitwww.visitscotland.org/quality_assurance.aspx
ENDS
For further information contact:
Ellen Drummond Ferroni, VisitScotland Corporate Press Officer
T: 0141 566 4019; M: 07801 820757; E: ellen.drummondferroni@visitscotland.com
Topics
- Tourism
Categories
- quality assurance
- corporate communications
Regions
- Scotland
Notes to Editors
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- Marketing: we will market Scotland and its outstanding assets to visitors from all parts of the world, including the promotion of Scotland to people living in Scotland to visit different parts of the country
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- 2017 Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology
- 2017 is the year to delve into the past and discover Scotland’s fascinating stories through a wide-ranging variety of new and existing activity to drive the nation’s tourism and events sector, boosting tourism across Scotland.
- The Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology begins on 1 January 2017 and will end on 31 December 2017. It will build on the momentum generated by previous themed years in Scotland including the 2015 Year of Food and Drink, Homecoming Scotland 2014, the Year of Creative and the Year of Natural.
- The Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology is a Scottish Government initiative being led by VisitScotland, and supported by a variety of partners including Creative Scotland, Scottish Tourism Alliance, Scottish Enterprise, The National Trust for Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Built Environment Forum Scotland, Heritage Lottery Fund, Museums Galleries Scotland and Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland.
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