Perth and Kinross Council has been recognised as a "Rising Star" by the International Chamber of Commerce for its work creating a new digital map and system to help manage visitors in rural areas.
The Council received the recognition at the Startup Ecosystem Star Awards in Paris this month.
Perth and Kinross Council partnered with the Scottish Government Civ Tech procurement programme on the project to develop ways of managing visitors to rural locations where there had been issues of visitor pressure during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Edinburgh-based start-up company Whereverly helped create the map, and a platform for Ranger reporting together with vehicle tracking on roads and car parks for visitor numbers in certain locations and which allows Rangers to record incidents and respond to ongoing issues more quickly.
The Council jointly sponsored the project with Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, Stirling Council, the Digital office for Local Government and CENSIS (the national innovation centre for the Internet of Things).
The Startup Ecosystem Stars (SES) Awards are organised by International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and Mind the Bridge in collaboration with the OECD and the European Commission, with support from Microsoft.
In total, the 2024 edition crowned 64 organisations, 35 as Startup Ecosystem Stars and 29 as Rising Stars, representing 36 countries worldwide.
Councillor Eric Drysdale, convenor of Perth and Kinross Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee said: "This is fantastic and well-deserved recognition for what has been a groundbreaking project in Perth and Kinross.
"We are fortunate to have some of Scotland's most stunning scenery in Perth and Kinross. This brings a huge number of visitors each year and the interactive map is a great example of how technology can be used to help manage and preserve those areas for all, whether they live there permanently or are only visiting.
"It also helps our Ranger service better deal with incidents and events so that everyone can continue to enjoy our stunning scenery
"I congratulate everyone who worked on this project for their efforts."
Iain McNeill, managing director of Whereverly Limited said: "We are delighted that our work with Perth and Kinross Council and other partners including the Loch Lomond National Park which has added such value to visitors and rangers alike.
"The effective management of Scotland's rural landscapes is key to ensuring it can be enjoyed for generations to come, and we are thrilled to have been a part in the Council's work to protect Perth and Kinross' beautiful outdoor spaces."
The map is available on the Perth City and Towns website.
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