‘Let’s compete with the best of them!’ – That was the message conveyed at the Dumfries & Galloway Annual Tourism Industry conference. The area played host to a successful tourism conference with over 70 businesses attending at Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries.

Anna Trafford, Project Manager for the ’Outdoor Capital of the UK’ was the main speaker and shared the experience of creating the ’Outdoor Capital of the UK’. This included how businesses can work together, how the initiative has grown and learnings that could be taken away by Dumfries & Galloway businesses in order to develop the region’s Outdoor product.

Conference delegates also attended three workshops which covered; making the most of outdoor products; how to develop your business on minimal outlay; and how to become more environmentally friendly. The workshop format proved a popular part of the event as it allowed businesses to share ideas, put forward points of view and network with colleagues.

Speaking at the event Angus Fordyce from Cavens Country House Hotel at Kirkbean said “It was good to look at ways in which we can all work together to develop not only our own tourism product but Dumfries & Galloway as a whole. Today was really useful for me and I’ve come away with ideas on how we can take advantage of what is around us and build on what we have to offer.

“Tourism is growing significantly on a world-wide basis and we have to get smarter to attract and retain our visitors. Speakers at this event have shown that by building on our many strengths and applying effort we can entice visitors to come, enjoy, and return to Dumfries & Galloway.”

Exhibition space was well used with businesses taking the chance to network with each other in the exhibition area and find out about each others new developments.

VisitScotland Dumfries & Galloway in association with the Dumfries & Galloway Area Tourism Partnership (ATP), organised the event which aims to bring tourism businesses from across the region together, providing an inspiring and informative day.