Headshots for Shetland Tourism Association's Emma Miller

This morning I had Emma Miller, owner of Realta Events Management, in the studio for a series of headshots.

The headshots were primarily to be used for use on Emma's website, social media and promotional material.

However, Emma had just received some very exciting news that she'd been named in the Top 100 Women in Tourism by the Women in Tourism organisation.

As a result, we quickly turned around the photos so that Emma could use the images to accompany the press release about her award.

Many congratulations to Emma. I work closely with Emma through my role as director of Living Lerwick and can attest to her enthuasism for and dedication to promoting Shetland. A very deserved accolade for all her hard work.

Full press release below.

Top 100 Women in Tourism Accolade

Realta Events Management business owner, Emma Miller has today been named as one of the Top 100 Women in Tourism, in an announcement from the Women in Tourism organisation. http://www.womenintourism.co.uk/ Emma has been the Chairperson of the Shetland Tourism Association since November 2017.

On finding out about the honour, Emma said “I was very pleased and a bit surprised to find out I’d been included in the Top 100 Women in Tourism list. So many people have been making outstanding efforts particularly these past months to support and promote the vital tourism industry in Scotland and it’s great they are being recognised. I give my time to the Shetland Tourism Association and wholeheartedly support the members because I believe they are a fundamental part of what makes Shetland so special. It’s a privilege to work with the individuals who own and run these businesses, and that any of them nominated me for this listing is very humbling”  

Following the inaugural Top 100 which was launched in 2018, today’s announcement recognises not just individual achievements over the last year, but the combined passion which has supported the sector throughout 2020. 

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.  Today’s 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. 

For more information on Women In Tourism, please visit www.womenintourism.co.uk. 

-Ben