That the Parliament recognises the success of the Central and East Thistle Awards 2025, which took place on 11 September 2025; understands that VisitScotland’s purpose is to grow the value of the visitor economy to Scotland; considers that the Scottish Thistle Awards play a key role in this work, celebrating those who deliver a world-class visitor experience, while highlighting outstanding achievements in innovation, collaboration, and sustainable practices; congratulates the winners in the Lothian region, including Edinburgh Zoo (Best Visitor Attraction, Climate Action Award), The Real Mary King’s Close, Edinburgh (Employer of the Year), Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, Edinburgh (Inclusion Award, sponsored by Historic Environment Scotland), Paul Nixon of The Real Mary King’s Close (Individual of the Year), Edinburgh International Book Festival (Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival, sponsored by STV), and Hugh Mackay of Highland Experience (Rising Star Award); acknowledges that as Scotland’s premier tourism and events awards, delivered by VisitScotland with support from headline sponsor, Abbey: The Destination Experts, each winning entry reflects a commitment to responsible tourism and the ambitions of the national tourism strategy, Scotland Outlook 2030, and wishes the best of luck to all the winners at the national final in November 2025.