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New press award will reflect the importance of environmental and sustainability issues in the Highlands and Islands





The winner of the new environmental and sustainability category will join the winners line up at this year's Highlands and Islands Media Awards. Photograph: Alison White
The winner of the new environmental and sustainability category will join the winners line up at this year's Highlands and Islands Media Awards. Photograph: Alison White

A new award for the best coverage of environmental and sustainability issues in the Highlands and Islands is to be supported by independent tourism body Highland Tourism CIC as a reflection of its own values.

The new environment and sustainability award will be among the categories announced at this year’s Highlands and Islands Media Awards and press ball, which will be held at the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness on Friday, February 4.

The award is designed to showcase the area’s quality journalism in these vital subject areas which have taken on new importance due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the climate emergency.

Highland Tourism was created by co-founders Yvonne Crook and Sam Faircliff with the aim of ensuring the region is at the forefront of sustainable tourism in the global tourist market.

Highland Tourism chairperson, Yvonne Crook, said: “We are delighted to show our support for the region’s journalists and media. They are vital in telling the story of sustainability and the environment which is so important to our way of life and the future of the crucial tourism sector. Going forward, we believe the interest in this category and this area of journalism will surely grow and grow.”

Highland Tourism CIC director and Highlands and Islands Media Awards judge George Baxter.
Highland Tourism CIC director and Highlands and Islands Media Awards judge George Baxter.

Highland Tourism director George Baxter joined the panel of judges in reviewing this year’s entries for the category.

He said: “The judges have been hugely impressed with the entries in this new category and I particularly liked the engagement with local people and the topics like Covid-19 recovery and community resilience. I think these are really important matters, especially in the context of environment and climate change.

"I was delighted by the refreshing prose and engaging style of entries, often telling a positive story which makes you want to read more. The standard has been very high with great quality entries.”

Gordon Fyfe, Highlands and Islands Media Awards chairman, said: “We want to thank Highland Tourism for having the vision to sponsor this new category. In light of developments like the pandemic and climate change, people, businesses and organisations are reassessing their priorities and fashioning solutions.

"They want to know more about sustainability and the environment. Our journalists and media outlets in the area are doing a crucial job in difficult times to deliver that for them, so it is right to recognise their quality work.”


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