Members of the Loch Ness Partnership gathered at Drumnadrochit Hotel today to discuss the way forward following their excellent reception at a major outdoor activities exhibition in Holland earlier this month.

The Loch Ness Partnership were at Amsterdam's Outdoor Pursuits Show (Op Pad - 2002), the largest activity holiday show in the Netherlands. The group - representing the Fort Augustus Business Initiative, Strathglass Marketing Group, Drumnadrochit Chamber of Commerce and the South Loch Ness Marketing Group - were there to promote the area as 'more than a monster'.

Exhibiting under the title ' Discover Loch Ness', the group's joint marketing activities included the promotion of new walking and cycling routes on The Great Glen Way and the The Great Cycle Route. They were also promoting the first ever Loch Ness Marathon which is due to take place on the south side of the loch in September and highlighted the delights of Glen Affric which will shortly gain National Nature Reserve status. As well as all that, the group was on hand to promote a whole host of other activities, attractions and accommodation in the area.

As a result of their joint marketing efforts at Op Pad 2002, the group gathered the details of over 500 people interested in coming to Loch Ness, with The Great Glen Way and Cycle Route being a huge draw.

Rod Michie of Jacobite Cruises and a director with the Highlands of Scotland Tourist Board said: "It is fantastic to see businesses round the Loch working together. In these days of a shrinking world it is not your neighbour who is your competitor its businesses offering the same services in Ireland, Bulgaria or wherever. This is a great start for public agencies and individual businesses who must now build on this to provide first class amenities and services round the Loch."

Proprietor of the Craigdarroch House Hotel, Dave Munro said: "It was a very worthwhile exhibition and is set to benefit all kinds of businesses in the Loch Ness area. Op Pad is an excellent event to showcase what Loch Ness has to offer with thousands of people committed to outdoor activities, especially walking and cycling, attending."

Financial assistance to attend the event came from Inverness and Nairn Enterprise (INE) with a grant worth £4,315 with additional funding coming from the Inverness and Nairn Community Economic Development Programme which is part-financed by the European Union.

Marie Mackintosh of INE's Strengthening Communities department said: "It is great to hear that this trip has been successful and has helped boost the confidence of the business communities around Loch Ness. Hopefully this is just the start of a number of initiatives where all sections of the communities can come together and pursue their shared aimed of promoting the area as a world class tourist destination."