International nature based tourism operators to meet in the Highlands

Nature based tourism operators from Norway, Sweden, Iceland and the Highlands and Islands of Scotland will meet in Lochaber next week to discover ways of enhancing their businesses through sharing their experiences, skills and knowledge.

Eighty delegates will meet in Ballachulish on Monday 3rd October to begin a three-day programme of workshops, activities and networking events. The event is part of a three-year project to develop nature based tourism in north-west Europe, part-funded by the EU's Northern Periphery Programme.

The international project is being supported by public and private sector organisations from the four countries. The Scottish multi-agency partnership, led by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), involves Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), VisitScotland and the Tourism and Environment Forum.

Last year was the first in the programme and was hosted by Norway, which proved to be very successful. Feedback from the event highlighted the fact it was informal, business to business networking with lots of practical advice as the main benefits to those attending.

Following last year's event, Adventure Hebrides, based in the Western Isles teamed up with a Swedish counterpart to offer a week-long sea kayaking adventure to Lapland last year.

This year's programme will include workshops on sustainable tourism, how to protect our natural environment, customer service and e-commerce and communication. They will also visit the Ice Factor in Kinlochleven and the Glencoe Visitor Centre to see an eco building.

Chris Taylor, HIE's senior tourism manager said: "Here in the Highlands and Islands, along with Norway, Sweden and Iceland we have some of the most unique natural resources in the world.

"This project aims to encourage the sustainable development of nature based tourism, in turn creating economic benefits for rural areas and ensuring the importance of nature conservation.  We at HIE regard international collaboration as a key part of business development.

"Last year's event was a great success and we are very much looking forward to welcoming the delegates to Lochaber, which will be a great opportunity to show off some of the Highlands and Islands' natural assets."

Steve Hunt, national tourism officer at SNH, said: "Scotland's nature is now attracting a huge amount of interest from visitors both at home and abroad and this represents significant opportunities for businesses and other projects with a sustainable, long-term vision.

"This conference is a great chance for nature-based tourism operators across Europe to share their experiences and help develop the kind of facilities which people want for that trip of a lifetime.

"After the conference we'll know even more about the ways to build successful tourism businesses that deliver the right results for both the economy and protect our special places and wildlife."