Edinburgh Zoo's giant pandas given award for 'services to tourism'

Tian Tian: Along with Yang Guang, the panda has brought 500,000 visitors to the zoo.© RZSS

The pandas at Edinburgh Zoo have been given a special award for services to Scotland’s tourism industry.

The bamboo trophy was handed over to Tian Tian, the female of the pair, in a special awards ceremony at the visitor attraction on Tuesday.

Part of the Scottish Thistle Awards, the accolade was taken to the animals as they are unable to attend an awards ceremony in Glasgow next month.

VisitScotland decided Tian Tian and Yang Guang deserved the award after more than 500,000 people have been to see them since they arrived in Scotland last December.

Chris West, of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland who run the zoo, said it was a "great privilege".

He said: "It’s a real accolade and we’re delighted to accept the award on behalf of Tian Tian and Yang Guang. It’s made even more special by the fact that it’s made from bamboo – what more could our pandas ask for."

Mike Cantlay, VisitScotland Chairman, said: "Since Tian Tian and Yang Guang’s arrival last year, they have put one of Scotland’s best-known visitor attractions on the world map and shown excellence in tourism, which is what the Scottish Thistle Awards are all about - so it’s only right that we came here to honour their achievements."

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