Shetland has been showcased to almost thirty national and international journalists already this year, thanks to a number of press trips organised through the tourism agency.

Journalists from as far afield as the Czech Republic, Denmark, Australia and France have all come to sample the best of what Shetland has to offer visitors, while visiting home-grown publications have ranged from Take a Break magazine and Golf Monthly, to the Cambridge Evening News and the Sunday Times.

Meanwhile, film crews have also been flocking to Shetland, including the recent BBC “Coast” and “Springwatch” crews, Marcopolo TV from Italy and Australia’s “Getaway” programme.

Area director Andy Steven comments:

“I am delighted that an increasing number of journalists from around the UK and beyond are showing an interest in coming to Shetland. Press trips are an important way of raising the islands’ profile, whether it be for such world-knowns as Up Helly Aa and traditional Shetland music, or perhaps the things that we’re not so well known for, such as golf.

“Such trips can also lead onto real tourism benefits, as was seen by the viewers’ response to BBC Springwatch. Shetland has a huge amount to offer visitors, and I’m positive that each and every journalist found themselves a warm welcome - and perhaps a few surprises about Shetland along the way.”