Scottish Tourism Week gets underway

A week long series of events to mark Scottish Tourism Week gets underway today (Monday).

During March 12 – 16, the focus will be on raising awareness of the importance of tourism to the Scottish economy. The week will also be used to promote the Scottish Tourism Forum’s Manifesto, Profitable Growth for a Sustainable Future (PDF), and the exploration of the ways by which businesses can align themselves with the goals of Tourism Framework for Change (PDF), the 10 year industry strategy plan.

Key to Scottish Tourism Week will be encouraging politicians and decision-makers to engage with tourism operators and gain a better understanding of the issues facing tourism businesses.

A full programme of events has been organised by the Scottish Tourism Forum, kicking off today with a major gathering in the Highlands and Islands in the Best Western Windsor Hotel in Nairn. Open to anyone involved in the tourism industry or supplying products and services to the industry, the meeting will concentrate on the central theme of profitable growth.

Chaired by Andy Machen-Young, Vice Chair of STF and owner of The Windsor Hotel, industry speakers will highlight the business point of view while public sector speakers from HIE, VisitScotland and Highland Council will explain how they can support this growth. Among the speakers are:

• Ian Whitaker, Commercial Director, Cairngorm Mountain Ltd
• Robbie Bremner, Managing Director, Loch Ness 2000
• Stuart Black, Area Director of HIE Inverness and East Highland

With dynamic presentations, debate and workshops lined up, the Nairn event has a remit to channel views from the Highlands and Islands to the Scottish Tourism Week national industry conference in Edinburgh on Wednesday (March 14) and to provide clear messages to the Scottish Executive and all political parties.

See the Scottish Tourism Week's Calendar of Events