A little bit of extra knowledge goes a long way in growing your business, and there are lots of opportunities to bone up on some of our key growth markets in the next few weeks.

For more information on any of the courses, or to browse the full ranges of courses available throughout Scotland, visit www.visitscotland.org/events-and-training.htm

Film Crews Welcome
30 October: Paisley Arts Centre, Paisley
or Pollok House, Glasgow
16 November: Chatelherault Country Estate, Hamilton
This workshop is aimed at tourism operators keen to look after film crews working in their local area, and will complement VisitScotland’s Film Crews Welcome Scheme. VisitScotland and Scotland’s film officers have developed the scheme and have worked with Tourist Board Training to develop the associated workshop.

Wildlife Tourism
30-31 October: Palacerigg Country Park, Cumbernauld
20-21 November: Muirshiel Visitor Centre, by Lochwinnoch
This two-day course will open your eyes to the remarkable wildlife on your doorstep and help you guide visitors to wildlife and natural heritage resources in your area. You’ll gain a good knowledge of the variety of wildlife on land and in the seas nearby as well as an appreciation of what visitors may be looking for and some tips on how to make their experience more rewarding.

Ancestral Tourism workshop
21 November: Glasgow Opportunities, North Hanover Street, Glasgow
Ancestral tourism is big business for Scotland. But how much do you know about what your visitors need, and what VisitScotland is already doing for them? This workshop has been developed to recognise this growing market and to ensure that all tourism operators are maximising the potential benefits to their business. The workshop will outline VisitScotland’s ancestral tourism activity, give you an awareness of the local and national ancestral research resources and give you confidence in sourcing further information for visitors.

Children Welcome
8 November: Pollok House, Glasgow
Children represent tomorrow’s market today and it can be profitable to give some attention to how you welcome kids. This one-day workshop is aimed at all tourism businesses that accept children, from B&Bs and hotels to visitor attractions and restaurants.

Each one-day course costs £40 + VAT and includes lunch and refreshments. The two-day wildlife tourism course has an additional charge of £30 + VAT for the second day. For more information or to book a place, contact Tourist Board Training on 01294 313006 or e-mail tbt@tbt.visitscotland.com