West coast ferry operator, Caledonian MacBrayne [CalMac], has beaten 13 major ferry companies in being named Best Ferry Company in the prestigious Guardian and Observer Travel Awards – for the fourth year in a row.
The award – the result of an annual poll of readers who are asked to rate the quality of service they received on their holidays across the world – is CalMac’s fourth award this year, 2013.
In March it received an award from Scottish Union Learning in the Highlands and Islands, which supports trade unions in accessing skills and lifelong learning opportunities for workers across Scotland.
In June it was named Public Transport Operator of the Year in the Scottish Transport Awards for the third time in four years.
Also in June, it took the award for Customer Focus in the Scottish Business Awards.
In a spirited welcoming of this latest award, CalMac’s Managing Director, Martin Dorchester, says: ‘It is always terrific to have the hard work and dedication of our staff recognised in this way, but truly amazing to have held the title for four years and proof that our success is no flash in the pan.
‘This consistency of effort to put our customers at the forefront of everything we do is also reflected in the other major awards and we are also very proud of our union learning award which shows we attach a great deal of importance to helping our staff be the best they can be.
‘The timing of all these awards could not be better as we prepare to bid for the next Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract.
‘They clearly send out the message to any potential competitors, to the Government that will award the contract and to our customers, staff and stakeholders, that CalMac is a force to be reckoned with and we are doing everything we can to retain the contract for 2016.’
