ASSC Shortlisted in the Working Together for Tourism Category at the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards 2022

The ASSC has been shortlisted in Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards for the Working Together for Tourism Award 2022.

This category celebrates partnerships, collaborations and team working, whether that be with local businesses, communities or a group of individuals. Finalists have shown to have operated a collective approach to deliver activity created as a direct result of Covid-19 and which has had a positive effect on staff, customers, visitors and/or the local community to ensure that everyone could have a confident and positive experience.

The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) developed the Cleaning Protocols and Sectoral Guidance for Self-Catering Properties in the Context of Covid-19 in collaboration with the Professional Association of Self-Caterers (PASC UK), Premier Cottages, and Wales Tourism Alliance, that were endorsed by the UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments. The ASSC commissioned on-line training to sit alongside the protocols and FAQs.

The ASSC managed to persuade the Scottish Government to allow self-catering businesses to open ahead of schedule on 3rd July 2020 in response to the robust nature of the cleaning protocols. We managed to evidence that if the self-catering sector opened on 3rd rather than 15th, it represented an additional £20m to the Scottish economy.

Fiona Campbell, Chief Executive of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers said:

“‘The Cleaning Protocols and Sectoral Guidance for Self-Catering Properties and Short-Term Lets in the Context of Covid-19’ supported the sector through the pandemic and enabled operators to ensure the safety of their guests, their cleaning staff and their communities.

“Throughout the pandemic and as we continue navigate out of it into the ‘New Extraordinary’, with all the associated challenges, the ASSC has fought the corner of its members, kept them informed of unfolding developments, and engaged with leading tourism stakeholders, MSPs and the Scottish Government to ensure the best outcome possible for our sector.

“We are absolutely delighted to have been shortlisted for this award. This represents recognition for all of the incredibly hard work not only of the ASSC, but of every single one of our members. We could not be more proud.”