Building on successful attendance at the China International Travel Mart last year, the first ever Scotland-only trade mission to China visited Shanghai recently and the Gretna Green Group were part of it.

The event, which took place in Shanghai and Beijing in November, saw VisitScotland, along with seven Scottish partners showcase Scotland to key influencers and decision-makers within the local travel trade and business community.

The five-day mission combined workshops, sales calls, networking events and a golf day, during which the Gretna Green Group and fellow Scottish tourism partners, strategic partners Scottish Development International (SDI), and VisitBritain showcased the very best that Scotland has to offer.

Lynda Denton, Head of Sales & Marketing, Gretna Green Group Ltd; “Knowing that our offer of combined cultural attraction and excellent shopping destination was already proving a success with our visitors we chose to take up the opportunity through VisitScotland to meet operators direct, in their own county.

“Making that effort has paid off with not only the appreciation of our hosts for going out to visit them but also in forging relationships with key operators and influencers in the Chinese travel industry. For my first experience on a long haul sales mission with VisitScotland it has been a very positive and successful trip and the first booking has come through with the client sending a trip in on 19 December for a re-enactment and shopping.”

For further information on business opportunitites please contact either Anne.Massey@visitscotland.com or Caroline.Robertson@visitscotland.com