UKinbound, the UK’s foremost travel trade association for the UK’s inbound visitor economy (international visitation) – forecast to be worth over £35.7 billion to the UK economy in 2026 – awarded Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises the accolade of Individual Attraction of the Year at its Awards for Excellence ceremony on Thursday 26th February.
The award was presented in front of over 400 travel and tourism professionals at the association’s 2025 Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner, which took place at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester.
Following self-nomination, the winners were decided by an independent panel of judges comprising:
- Professor Xavier Font, Professor of Sustainability Marketing, University of Surrey
- Eddy Leviten, Executive Director, Tourism Alliance
- Ian Taylor, Executive Editor, Travel Weekly
The judges said: “This business has clearly evolved over 50 years and now plays a key role in supporting the local economy, jobs, and bookings, earning the judges’ praise.”
Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises triumphed against attractions from across the UK, making the shortlist alongside ABBA Voyage, Blenheim Palace, Edinburgh Gin Distillery and the Tower of London.
Upon receiving the award, Alison Daun, Managing Director of Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises, said: “We are delighted to be named Individual Attraction of the Year, especially when up against such strong competition.
“I am so proud of what we have created over the past 50 years of the business, welcoming more than 320,000 visitors in 2025. People come from around the world to visit our beautiful region and we never tire of seeing their reactions when they arrive at Loch Ness. I would like to thank our incredible team for making their experience so memorable. We look forward to welcoming many more people from near and far over 2026 and beyond.”
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Joss Croft OBE, CEO UKinbound, said: “Our industry continues to demonstrate extraordinary strength, creativity and resilience, and our Awards for Excellence recognise and celebrate the businesses and people that have made an outstanding contribution to the success and future of the UK’s inbound visitor economy. We are delighted to name Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises as Individual Attraction of the Year.”
The Awards for Excellence were presented during the association’s Annual Convention 2025, which was held in Manchester on 25th and 26th February 2026 at the Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground.
The programme featured an influential line-up of speakers including a keynote address from Karen Blackett CBE and strategic update from VisitBritain CEO, Patricia Yates, alongside a practical AI session, market seminars, and full day of B2B meetings.
