Region's tourism businesses benefit from London event

As Scotland’s innovation and investment hub, Scotland House is aimed at helping ambitious businesses take advantage of opportunities in London and internationally.

The hub provides touch down facilities and a place to meet customers and target new markets, secure investment and showcase products and services.

The ‘Meet the international tour operators’ event was supported by Highlands and Islands Enterpsie (HIE), in partnership with VisitScotland and UKinbound. It was designed to help the region’s businesses grow revenue from international visitors and to establish the Highlands and Islands as a year-round destination.

Delegates met with 15 London based tour operators including Kuoni Tumlare which delivers bespoke package tours for leisure groups and Happy Tours which is one of the fastest growing European tour operators.

The region’s businesses benefited from guidance on online booking agencies, one-one meetings with tour operators and immersion workshops by market specialists on enhancing their commercial offering to the European tour operators.

Gavin Johnston from Inverness Taxi Tours, who attended the event, said: “It was a great experience in London and I am delighted with the support we had to help us attend. We were given practical advice and links to resource and it’s fantastic that we have already been quoted for one job.”

Scotland House brings together officials from HIE, the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and VisitScotland under one roof to provide a Team Scotland approach to supporting businesses and attracting visitors and investment to Scotland.

Grant Eckersley from HIE’s international trade team, said: “The hub plays a critical role in attracting investment to Scotland, helping businesses trade internationally and raising Scotland’s international profile. We are pleased to be able to offer the region’s businesses an opportunity to benefit from the growing tourism market.”

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