Winter is here and VisitScotland are making the most of it lby aunching their first ever Winter Hebrides marketing campaign this week.

Now in full swing and continuing until March 2007, the marketing campaign is building on the research and experience of previous campaigns and is responding to local industry feedback asking for more winter marketing to extend the tourism season. 

The campaign consists of the new website www.winterhebrides.com with a host of special winter offers from accommodation providers and visitor attractions to meet the growing demand for winter breaks in Scotland and helping the tourism industry in the Outer Hebrides to operate on a year round basis.

Outer Hebrides Area Director, Angus Macmillan, commented: “With most tourism operators in the Outer Hebrides reporting an increase in visitor numbers in 2006, we are hopeful that this very positive trend will continue.  The Winter Campaign is a welcome addition to existing established marketing campaigns, not just because it heralds the opportunity to extend our tourism season, but also because it can help to fill vacancies during a traditionally quiet time of year for the industry.

"The special offers provided on the website should also be considered by local people to visit parts of the islands that they may never have been to before and boost inter-island tourism.”