Scotland United will see hundreds of tourism businesses gather later this month (Monday 21st November) for a lively debate on the vision for tourism.

St Andrews Bay Golf Resort and Spa will host the fifth annual industry conference, where Patricia Ferguson MSP will unveil the new draft strategy for tourism.

The conference will be chaired by Gavin Ellis, owner of Knockomie Hotel in Forres. Mr Ellis has owned Knockomie since 1987 and is the fifth generation of his family to be involved in the industry.  He sees attendance at the conference as a must for anyone with an involvement in tourism.

Gavin said: "Scotland United offers everyone a real opportunity to have their voices heard by the people who make policies for this industry; it gives people the chance to hold the Tourism Minister and other policy makers to account.

"There is a finite time for people to contribute to the new strategy for tourism in Scotland so people must grab that opportunity while they can if they want to make sure their voices and opinions are heard. This conference gives them the best platform to make sure decision makers at the highest level are fully aware of the issues which need to be addressed to enable them to grow their businesses.

"It also offers a great opportunity for anyone involved with tourism to broaden their views by taking time out from their business and getting involved in open and frank discussions with others in the industry. This provides the opportunity to learn from others as well as investigating the challenges and opportunities facing the hospitality and tourism in the coming years."

Planning reform, transport infrastructure and accessibility of Scotland as well as the cost of doing business, whether that is, utility costs, quality assurance issues or taxation are also key areas that Scotland United 2005 will focus on. It will also offer the opportunity to discuss the issues surrounding the possible threat of avian flu and will examine where tourism will be in the next 10-20 years.

The industry in Scotland has a target shared with VisitScotland and the Scottish Executive to increase tourism revenue in Scotland by 50 per cent by 2015. This target may seem ambitious but rather than signifying an upsurge in the tourism industry it will simply ensure that Scotland retains its current share of world tourism.

Scotland United 2005 is led by the British Hospitality Association (BHA), the Scottish Tourism Forum and the tourism industry themselves and is funded by the Highlands and Islands Enterprise network (HIE), Scottish Enterprise and VisitScotland.

The evening before the conference (Sunday 20th November) a dinner and champagne reception, hosted by the BHA, will be held for delegates giving them a networking opportunity, with the chance to meet old acquaintances and new friends from throughout the tourism industry.

Maria Peter, HIE's senior development manager of tourism, said: "Tourism is vital to the future of Scotland. However it is an increasingly competitive global market place, with 193 countries in the world fighting for a share of the market, many of whom target the same customers as Scotland, with a product range that matches what Scotland has to offer.

"So the tourism industry in this country needs to be performing at the highest level to ensure it continues to be the world player it is now. Attendance at events like Scotland United 2005 can help those involved with the industry to stay ahead of the game.  I am particularly interested in the range of new ecommerce products that Visitscotland.com will launch at this conference."

If you would like to attend, please contact Fiona at the Scottish Tourism Forum on 0131 220 6321.

More information about Scotland United 2005 can be found at www.scotexchange.net

Stop press >>>>>  How will Scotland respond to an Avian Flu pandemic?

Since the global media frenzy on Avian Flu first erupted in October 2005, the focus has been on chickens as a food source and the likelihood of Avian Flu causing a global pandemic. Surprisingly, the possible impact that an outbreak of Avian Flu could have on tourism has been almost entirely overlooked.

However, VisitScotland has undertaken a scenario planning exercise to help prepare for any outbreak of Avian Flu.

Scotland United 2005 is your opportunity to hear about that research - the impact that Avian Flu could have on your business, what is being done should it hit and crucially how you can ensure your business is fully prepared.

Visit www.scotexchange.net or book at www.holyrood.com