Photo: Luskentyre Beach, Isle of Harris
Welcome to the latest VisitScotland eUpdate, giving you an overview of VisitScotland's current activities.
This month:
Marketing opportunities still available
Opportunities are still available for accommodation providers to buy in to stand alone marketing products. Although the deadline for the Business Opportunities Package has passed, you can still buy into products such as racking in the local tourist information centre or entry on visitscotland.com
Non accommodation providers still have time to buy into their Business Opportunities Package.
For further information or to buy your marketing
products contact your local business relationship manager whose contact
details can be found at www.scotexchange.net/vsnetworkoffice.htm
Invoicing
Over the next 6-8 weeks invoices for the Business Opportunities Package will be sent to tourism businesses over Scotland. Should you have any queries once you have received this, you should contact your local network office whose number will be on the invoice sent to you.
Latest learning opportunities with Tourist Board Training
Why not improve your skills and knowledge by taking a training course with the Tourist Board Training?
With a focus on meeting and exceeding the expectations of visitors through the people who work in tourism, Tourist Board Training (TBT) provides innovative, flexible and sustainable training opportunities for the tourism industry.
For details of TBT's latest learning opportunities,
visit www.scotexchange.net/training/trainingorgs/tourist_board_training.htm
CD-Rom to help businesses make the grade
A free CD-Rom to help your business achieve a Quality Assurance award will soon be available from VisitScotland. The CD-Rom will tell you:
- the benefits of quality assurance
- the quality assurance process
- what schemes are available
- information on business development and best
practice
- how to get involved in the scheme
To receive a copy of the CD-Rom, email: qadevelopment@visitscotland.com
with your name and address or tel: 01463 723040.
China trade surgery - 9 September 2005
A trade surgery to assist Scottish tourism businesses in preparing for Chinese visitors will take place at 2pm on Friday 9 September in The Teacher Building, 14-16 St Enoch Square, Glasgow.
The surgery will detail the Approved Destination Status (ADS) process, regulations involved in handling Chinese groups and Chinese visitors' particular needs.
If you are interested in targeting the Chinese
market and would like to attend this event, email: tradepromotions@visitscotland.com
for a booking form. Please note: the booking deadline is Friday 2 September.
Luxury Travel Expo, New York - 15 to 17 September 2005
VisitScotland has space available for up to five Scottish partners on its stand at Luxury Travel Expo 2005.
Attracting over 1000 luxury buyers and 9000 consumers each year, Luxury Travel Expo is the largest gathering of luxury travel professionals.
If you are interested in attending this event,
please contact Linda McAllister, trade promotions executive on email:
linda.mcallister@visitscotland.com.
Ontario PGA Golf Merchandise Show - 26 to 28 October
VisitScotland, in conjunction with Scottish Development International, would like to invite Scottish suppliers to exhibit at the 2005 Ontario Scottish Golf Merchandise Show.
Last year the event attracted 2,151 PGA professionals, golf course owners and green grass and off grass retail buyers looking to source equipment, apparel, accessories and services for their businesses.
If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity or for further information, please email: tradepromotions@visitscotland.com.
Tourism Cares for Tomorrow summit, Edinburgh - 19 to 20 October
VisitScotland is bringing around 80 major tour operators and incentive buyers from the US to Scotland for the Tourism Cares for Tomorrow summit meeting in October.
The summit, hosted this year by VisitScotland, will include a workshop, golf tournament and gala dinner. Scottish suppliers are invited to attend the following:
- 19 October - networking dinner
- 20 October - general session, North American
industry update
- 20 October - one to one business sessions
The event will be held at the Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh on 19 and 20 October and will be limited to two delegates per supplier. The cost is £495 + VAT for two delegates or £400 + VAT for one delegate.
For further information, please contact Melanie
Angus, trade promotions manager on email: melanie.angus@visitscotland.com.
World Travel Market 14 - 17 November, ExCel, London
VisitScotland is giving around 16 Scottish tourism business the opportunity to attend World Travel Market 2005, the leading global event for the travel industry.
This event, which brings together 40,000 of the world's leading travel and tourism suppliers from over 172 countries, is suitable for all sectors of the tourism industry.
If you are interested in attending as a partner on VisitScotland's stand or would like further information on the event, contact Tracey Cunningham, events sales manager, on tel: 0131 472 2333 or email: tracey.cunningham@visitscotland.com.
Business tourism newsletter
Want to stay ahead of the game in the business tourism market? Details of new and exciting developments in this market are now available in the Business Tourism Unit's (BTU) newsletter.
Get your copy online at www.conventionscotland.com
or in print from the BTU on tel: 0131 472 2355.
Scotland in London networking dinner
VisitScotland's Business Tourism Unit recently held a successful networking dinner at St Mary's Axe in London. Fourteen Scottish businesses had the opportunity to network with and promote their products and services to 38 association buyers in a spectacular setting.
If you are interested in finding out more about
the next Scotland in London event, contact Manuela Calchini-Smith, meetings
and incentives manager on tel: 0131 472 2356 or email: manuela.calchini-smith@visitscotland.com.
Advertising opportunity for MICE suppliers
Editorial and advertising opportunities will be available for Scottish suppliers in the November edition of Conference and Incentive Management (CIM), one of the leading MICE publications in Germany.
If you are interested in taking up this opportunity,
provided as part of a Venue Promotion Report in CIM, please contact Shona
Telfer, marketing manager (Europe) on tel: 0131 472 2361 or email: shona.telfer@visitscotland.com.
North America sales mission
VisitScotland's Business Tourism Unit (BTU) recently travelled to New York to promote Scotland as a conference and meetings venue to leading North American organisations. The BTU is keen to develop this into a joint sales mission in 2006.
If you are interested in getting involved, please
register your interest by contacting Karen Clarkson, marketing manager
(North America) on tel: 0131 472 2358 or email: karen.clarkson@visitscotland.com.
New opportunities with BTU's North American gateway site
This autumn, www.conventionscotland.com/usa will be redeveloped to provide more content and marketing opportunities for you. For more details, please contact Karen Clarkson, marketing manager (North America) on tel: 0131 472 2357 or email karen.clarkson@visitscotland.com.
Remember that the opportunity to highlight your product launches or developments in the Business Tourism Unit's quarterly e-newsletter is currently free! The newsletter is sent to 2000 qualified contacts in North America and featured on www.conventionscotland.com/usa, keeping key contacts up to date with the latest developments in business tourism.
Submit your news (100 words, link and image) to
karen.clarkson@visitscotland.com
to take advantage of this opportunity.
VisitScotland Open Meeting - the chance to air your views
Have the chance to air your views on tourism issues and the new tourism network at VisitScotland's Open Meeting on Thursday 20 October at the Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa in Dundee.
Registration for the event will begin at 1.30pm with presentations at 2.00pm. The afternoon will end with a question and answer session.
For further information or to register your interest in attending this event, please contact Tracy Logan, corporate affairs co-ordinator on 0131 472 2215 or email openmeeting@visitscotland.com
Business tourism conference 2005 - setting new standards
VisitScotland's Business Tourism Unit and Scottish Enterprise are delighted to invite you to attend the Business Tourism Conference 2005 at the Glasgow Hilton Hotel on Tuesday 11 October.
Focusing on setting new standards, this year's event will help senior managers and business owners in the conference, meetings and corporate hospitality sectors prosper in this challenging market.
For further information and a booking form for this event, visit www.scotexchange.net/eventsconferences_events_list-new
Talking tourism back on tour
VisitScotland's Talking Tourism programme will kick-off again this autumn, giving you the opportunity to discuss tourism issues with VisitScotland representatives.
Travelling around Scotland, Talking Tourism will take place invarious venues where you can participate in question and answer sessions with the VisitScotland team on the new integrated network and on tourism generally.
Information on when the Talking Tourism event is
in your area will soon be available on www.scotexchange.net
and in future issues of the VisitScotland eUpdate.
5 Star Customer Management conference returns
The 5 Star Customer Management Conference is returning to the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on 3 November 2005 for its third successive year.
Speakers at this year's event include founder of the Academy of Service Excellence Chris Duffy and James Timpson, Managing Director of the family dynasty. Chief Executive of The Royal Yacht Britannia Bob Downie will chair the event.
If you are interested in finding out more or would like to book your place at the conference, please contact Lucy Quinton, Conference Manager, The Royal Yacht Britannia tel: 0131 555 8800 or email: enquiries@tryb.co.uk or visit www.scotexchange.net/event_item.htm?eventID=35677
The conference fee is £200 (plus VAT) with
lunch and refreshments. Every delegate will also receive a copy of Chris
Daffy's best selling book Once A Customer, Always A Customer.
Tourism minister launches autumn break campaign
VisitScotland's annual Autumn Gold campaign was launched by tourism minister Patricia Ferguson on Friday 19 August.
Boosting Scottish tourism by around £12 million last year, Autumn Gold is an important VisitScotland campaign that provides a great opportunity to extend the tourist season.
For more information on offers available in Scotland this autumn visit www.visitscotland.com/autumn
Scotland to make its mark in Poland
In partnership with VisitBritain, VisitScotland is attending TT Warsaw, the largest holiday fair for trade and consumers in Poland. VisitScotland aims to use the opportunity to build relationships with tour operators and find out what visitors from Poland want from a trip to Scotland.
Following the announcement of two new direct flights
from Warsaw and Krakow to Scotland, Poland is an important developing
market that VisitScotland is keen to grow.
For more information on the Polish market, visit www.tourismtrade.org.uk/
Scottish Food Fortnight & Dine Around
Fourteen restaurants across Scotland will be putting on £15 fixed price dining offers between the 17 September and 2 October as part of Scottish Food Fortnight. VisitScotland is providing promotional support for this event which will promote top quality eating experiences, in particular Scottish produce. For further information on Scottish food fortnight, visit www.scottishfoodfortnight.co.uk/
VisitScotland sponsors Slow Food congress
VisitScotland sponsored the inaugural Slow Food UK congress, which took place on 26 August on the Isle of Sky. Slow Food is a growing international movement working to promote the beneficial effects of the consumption of nutritious, locally grown and indigenous foods.
For further information on Slow Food visit www.slowfood.com/
Angus and Dundee
Women in Games conference brings boost to area
Dundee and Angus Convention Bureau welcomed 80 delegates to Dundee for the second Women in Games conference. Taking place at the University of Abertay Dundee between the 8 and 10 August 2005, the event brought a £69,000 boost to the local economy.
Ayrshire and Arran
Ayrshire and Arran at the Open
Scottish Golf Southwest took advantage of the British Open to promote Ayrshire and Arran's fantastic range of golf courses. Representing the area at the prestigious event, staff from Scottish Golf Southwest took the opportunity to showcase the region's golf offering to an international audience.
Scottish Golf Southwest also represented the area
at the Scandinavian Masters in Sweden and the Deutschebank Open near Hamburg.
It is hoped direct flights from both areas direct to Prestwick will encourage
European golfers to come to Scotland and test their game on Ayrshire and
Arran's courses.
Dumfries and Galloway
Ready for 7th heaven?
VisitScotland Dumfries and Forestry Commission Scotland recently launched a campaign to attract visitors to the South of Scotland to experience mountain biking heaven.
The campaign, 7th Heaven, aims to boost visits
to the area during late summer and drive traffic to the 7stanes website
www.7stanes.co.uk.
Targeting those with an interest in mountain biking, the campaign will
feature in specialist magazines with a combined circulation of over 100,000
copies.
Monet brings in the money
The Monet and Impressionists exhibition currently on show in Kirkcudbright Town Hall has attracted thousands of visitors to the area. In its first two weeks of opening the exhibition attracted almost 14,000 visitors, many of whom are visiting the Dumfries and Galloway area for the first time.
In total, over 40,000 people are expected to visit
the exhibition between 2 July and 28 August while it is displayed at the
Town Hall
Highlands of Scotland
New ferry service from Dochgarroch to Fort Augustus
A Loch Ness Express recently launched their new daily ferry service from Dochgarroch to Forth William. Free 10 minute transfers are available between Dochgarroch and Inverness city centre.
For information of timetable and fares for this
service visit www.lochnessexpress.com
or tel: 0800 328 6426.
Scottish Outdoor Access Code now available online in Gaelic
A Gaelic version of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code is now available on online. The Code provides guidance on responsible behaviour for recreational users and on the responsible management of land in relation to public access.
The full Gaelic version of the SOAC can be downloaded
from www.snh.org.uk/gaelic.
Copies are also available from Scottish Natural Heritage on tel: 01738
444 177.
Kingdom of Fife
Autumn Gold campaign
VisitScotland Fife is working with VisitScotland's Freedom team on a direct marketing campaign promoting autumn break offers in Fife. 50,000 fliers containing 25 short break offers and promotional messages about Fife will be distributed to households in the Aberdeen and Glasgow areas.
St Andrews Winter Golf promotion
VisitScotland Fife is developing a campaign for the St Andrews Winter Golf promotion. The campaign will feature golf inclusive packages on St Andrews Links, including a round on the Old Course and will run from 1 November until April 2006.
For further information on these campaigns, please contact Cheryl Baer, customer executive on email: cheryl.baer@visitscotland.com.
Fife tourism development fund - small grants scheme
Fife council has launched a grants scheme to support projects that attract visitors to Fife, enhance visitors' stay and encourage longer visits to the area.
Individual and groups of businesses, including:
- tourism businesses
- community organisations
- charitable and voluntary organisations
with a project that meets the above criteria are welcome to apply for grant assistance.
If you would like further information on the Scheme
or how to apply, please contact Cheryl Baer, customer executive on email:
cheryl.baer@visitscotland.com.
Scotland's top tourism businesses named as shortlisted candidates for the 2005 Thistle Awards
Over forty tourism businesses from across Scotland have made the shortlist for the 2005 VisitScotland Thistle Awards.
Now in their 14th year, the awards recognise quality and excellence across the industry and help ensure Scotland remains a world renowned visitor destination.
For further information on the 2005 Thistle Awards
and to see the full shortlist, visit www.scotexchange.net/events_conferences/thistleawards
Pride & Passion movement gains momentum
Over 240 businesses have signed up as Friends of the Pride & Passion movement to talk up tourism and encourage other businesses to think about what they can do to improve visitors' experiences.
A leaflet explaining more about the Pride & Passion movement is also now available and the newly designed website, www.prideandpassion.net will go live soon with hundreds of top tips from tourism businesses across Scotland keen to share their experiences and good ideas with others in the industry.
If you would like more information on Pride & Passion or know anyone who would make a passionate "visitors' champion" and help spread the message of Pride & Passion call 0131 272 2122 or email: team@prideandpassion.net.
Helping businesses clear the air for a healthier Scotland
On 26 March 2006 a ban on smoking in public places will come into force. To help ensure that your business is ready to meet this new legislation, the Scottish Executive has created a website, www.clearingtheairscotland.com to inform businesses across Scotland of the implications of the ban.
As well as information on how the legislation will
affect you, the website includes case studies of businesses that have
already adopted smoke-free polices.
Support for Commonwealth Games bid announced
The First Minister announced on 16 August that the Scottish Executive would support a Glasgow bid to stage the Commonwealth Games in 2014.
The announcement was based on a feasibility study which demonstrated that Glasgow has the capacity to meet requirements to host the games and that it is a strong contender in the race to host the 2014 Games.
The study also found that, if Glasgow's bid is
successful, there is the potential to achieve a net economic benefit of
£26m at a Glasgow level and £81m at a Scottish level.
For further information on EventScotland's activities
please visit www.eventscotland.org
New-look home page
Visitscotland.com has unveiled a new-look home page to improve customers' experience.
New features on the home page will include:
- a quick search and book facility
- a map-based search facility
- new branding and imagery
These new features will provide clearer search results and faster routes to the information you want.
Take a look at visitscotland.com's new home page at www.visitscotland.com.