THREE Glasgow businesses have picked up top tourism awards.

The Scottish Thistle Awards, which are organised by VisitScotland, recognise excellence in tourism.

Glasgow Film Festival won the Best Cultural Event, ahead of competition from the Creative Mackintosh Festival and Glasgow Doors Open Day.

Holiday firm McKinlay Kidd won Marketing Campaign of the Year, beating off Glasgow Film Festival and the National Trust for Scotland.

And Glasgow School of Art won Best Visitor Attraction over the city's Hunterian Museum.

Liz Buchanan, regional partnership director of VisitScotland, said: "The great showing of Glasgow business at the regional finals of the Scottish Thistle Awards is an endorsement of the quality and diversity of the city's tourism industry.

"It is a reminder of its importance to the economy at local and national level.

"These awards highlight the hard work and commitment to excellence that makes this industry Scotland's number one economic driver and which will see us deliver an unforgettable experience for visitors during the Commonwealth Games."

The winners of the central south west heat will now go forward to the Scottish finals in November.

VisitScotland chairman Mike Cantlay said: "Scotland is set to be in the international spotlight like never before.

"2014 presents a host of opportunities through the Ryder Cup, the Commonwealth Games and Homecoming 2014.

"It is imperative that the tourism industry in Glasgow does all it can to ensure we are ready to welcome the world.

"Businesses need to think about what can help them to shine. Now is the time for businesses to do all they can to stay at the very top of their game and reap the rewards."

vivienne.nicoll@ eveningtimes.co.uk