Highland Coast Hotels chairman David Whiteford has called on the hospitality industry to promote itself as a career rather than a temporary job, after walking away with the Entrepeneur of the Year award at a ceremony hosted by comedian Jason Manford.
Mr Whiteford secured the accolade during the Scottish Licensed Trade News Awards at the Hilton Glasgow hotel and described being “humbled” to be honoured.
The Highland Coast Hotels chairman used the event to urge the industry to get better at promoting hospitality as a lifetime career opportunity.
“This is not just a temporary job between school and university,” said Mr Whiteford, adding: “Other countries do it a lot better than us.”
Mr Whiteford thanked his colleagues during what has been a “challenging” time to work in the hospitality industry, as well as those with whom he collaborated in the North Highland Initiative which kick-started the now world-renowned North Coast 500 route.
He added: “Many thanks to the team at Highland Coast Hotels and all those who have backed us. We will continue to create great places to come and stay while exploring the North Highlands and do our bit to create sustainable communities, more opportunities for our people and do our very best to promote the circular economy in our remote, fragile but amazing part of the world.”
Part of the criteria for the Entrepeneur of the Year award was the winner would have “identified a genuine gap in the market” and turned it into commercial reality.
Highland Coast Hotels applies Scottish Living Wage
Founded in spring 2021, Highland Coast Hotels is developing independently-owned properties in the region as part of its plans which will see the Scottish Living Wage applied across its portfolio.
Hotels in the group now include: Kylesku Hotel, Newton Lodge Unapool, the Royal Golf Hotel Dornoch and the Royal Marine Hotel Brora and Plockton Inn.
Earlier this year, Highland Coast Hotels received a £4.45 million publicly-backed investment as a loan from state-funded Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB) to boost jobs and training for the local area.
The funds will be used to improve accommodation options by upgrading four hotels.
