The Black Watch Castle and Museum CEO named in 2020 Top 100 Women in Tourism

During what has been one of the most challenging years to date for the Scottish tourism industry, this week Women in Tourism announced the 2020 Top 100 Women in Tourism. This announcement recognises not just individual achievements over the last year, but the combined passion which has supported the sector throughout 2020.

Anne Kinnes, CEO at Perth’s Black Watch Castle and Museum has been named in the 2020 Top 100. Anne explains, “I am delighted and surprised to be included in the 2020 Top 100 Women in Tourism. It is especially important when tourism is facing such challenging times, not only now, but in the future years to come. However, we are a resilient industry, and we will recover and rebuild. Tourism has had a huge impact on my life, and I pleased to share this success with my teams’ past and present who have supported and inspired me in my journey.”

Major General Mike Riddell-Webster, Chairman at The Black Watch Castle and Museum states, “The Black Watch Castle and Museum, in its current form, has been open for only six years, of which the last has been our most demanding. Without Anne, developing, growing, and maturing the business, the success that it is today would simply not have been possible. We are very lucky to have a CEO of her calibre and are delighted that she has won this award; it is richly deserved.”

Reflecting a diverse industry which drives the Scottish economy and delivers the warm welcome which visitors from all over the world recognise and celebrate; the 2020 Top 100 includes those working within hotels, destination organisations, tour operators, marketing agencies and visitor attractions. During an unprecedented year, the Top 100 gives special recognition to those working on behalf of the Scottish tourism sector, including colleagues from the Scottish Tourism Alliance, the Association of Scottish Self Caterers, HIT Scotland and the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions.

In ensuring the sector continues to be heard, Kate Nichols from Hospitality UK receives special recognition as the only addition to the list from outside Scotland. As a key voice of tourism and hospitality, Kate has worked tirelessly to ensure individuals and businesses are heard and continues to lobby on behalf of the industry.

Commenting on the 2020 Top 100 Women in Tourism, Susan Russell, Chair of Women in Tourism, said: “2020 has been an unprecedented year for not just tourism, but our way of life as we know it. This announcement gives us an opportunity to recognise colleagues across our industry who go above and beyond on a daily basis. The Top 100 reflects the sector as a whole – from Shetland to the Scottish Borders and the Outer Hebrides to Fife, and while we recognise the challenges facing our industry, today’s announcement is an important moment to celebrate and thank everyone for all that they have done, and continue to do.”

The inaugural Women in Tourism Top 100 was announced in July 2018 in response to the Caterer Magazine’s Top 100 Most Powerful people in hospitality which recognised only 13 women. Sadly, many of those in the 2020 Top 100 are no longer in the roles attributed in the list due to the impacts of COVID-19.