Scottish icons merge for international tourism event

Two of Scotland’s greatest industries – whisky and tourism – join forces next month in an international tourism event being staged by the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Network, in conjunction with Scottish Development International and VisitScotland.

Tourism businesses from the Speyside and wider areas are being invited to attend this international gathering for two of Scotland’s iconic products, both recognised worldwide as being Scottish in origin. In international terms, delegates will find out how important whisky and golf are to Scotland’s tourism industry.

Ewan Colville of VisitScotland will provide an overview of key core markets such as the US and Germany, and also emerging markets such as the Far East and Russia. Roy Graff of ChinaContact will focus on the emerging market of China; a market with huge potential while Chris Conway of The Scotch Whisky Tourism Initiative will inform the audience of collaborative developments within whisky, golf and tourism.

Brian Robinson, of the Glenfiddich Distillery Visitor Centre, will explain how their five star attraction caters for international tourists and Fraser Cromarty of Castle Stuart will provide an overview of the golf sector in Scotland. This will be followed by Gordon Dalgleish of Perry Golf conveying his experiences in the US market.

Roger Niemeyer, of Alliance Hotel Consultants, meanwhile, will explain the various routes to international markets using the internet and tour operators.

Finally, Maria Peter, of Scottish Development International, will lead a group discussion to discover if the industry could do more to exploit whisky and golf. Hopefully this will lead to some positive and practical actions.

Immediately after lunch delegates will have the opportunity to have one-to-one meetings with speakers and sponsors.

The event is being pitched at businesses that interacts and generates income from domestic and international visitors. For this event, this includes, for example, whisky distillery visitor centres, golf clubs/courses, visitor attractions, accommodation outlets, tour operators, tour guides, activity providers, restaurants, retailers, transport providers, etc.

For further information about the event contact Stewart Miller, of SMas Ltd., either by email on info@smas.co.uk or telephone 01369 830000.