Influential tourism buyers from France, Brazil, Spain and Austria visited the Highlands this week, as part of a major tourism drive to position the area as a must visit destination for consumers from emerging tourism markets.
The trip was organised by VisitScotland, to showcase the region to travel operators from around the world in advance of its annual business-to-business event VisitScotland Expo.
Over 20 businesses from across the Highlands attended VisitScotland Expo in Aberdeen last week, where around 250 suppliers of tourism products from all over Scotland exhibited, including accommodation providers, transport operators, restaurants, and visitor attractions.
Exhibitors from the Highlands included Inveraray Castle, Jacobite Experience and Highland Explorer Tours. A number of exhibitors attended for the first time, including Castle of Mey in Caithness, the Duke of Gordon Hotel in Kingussie and the Highland Wildlife Park.
Up to 1000 buyers from all sectors of the tourism industry – travel writers, coach tour operators, group travel organisers, conference and event organisers, wedding planners, travel agents and independent tour operators and wholesalers – attended the event.
The buyers come from diverse markets throughout the world including Europe, USA, Far East, Australia, and of course the UK, and this year will include three new buyers from Brazil.
For more information on VisitScotland Expo go to www.visitscotlandexpo.com
