The local economies of Aberdeen City and Shire could see a boost of £1.7million when VisitScotland expo rolls into the Granite City.
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The national tourism organisation’s regional director, Philip Smith, says holding the expo – Scotland’s flagship travel trade event – will greatly help the north-east, as more than £24million worth of business is expected to be conducted of the two day event on April 22 and 23.
The country will be promoted by over 230 businesses with a Scottish tourism product to highlight, and it is expected that there will be at least a 33% increase in new exhibitors compared to the previous year’s event at Glasgow’s SECC.
Exhibitors at the 2015 VisitScotland expo, the 36th such event, will include Trump International Golf Links, Ardoe House Hotel & Spa, Banffshire Coast Tourism Partnership, Deeside Activity Park, Golf Aberdeen City & Shire, Raemoir House Hotel and Meldrum House Country Hotel & Golf Course.
Delegates attending will also participate in “familiarisation” trips to Aberdeen City and Shire, to give them a real-life, first-hand experience of the types of holidays they will be able to provide to customers.
The expo’s two major evening networking events will also showcase the region’s culinary offering and natural larder to highlight Scotland’s Year of Food & Drink. Tuesday night’s delegate event will be held at Woodend Barn, near Banchory, showcasing Royal Deeside, and Wednesday evening’s event at the AECC will showcase the Banffshire Coast.
VisitScotland regional director, Philip Smith, said: “VisitScotland’s expo is the most important date in Scotland’s tourism calendar. It allows us to showcase this must-visit region to UK and international buyers. It also reinforces to the tourism industry in the rest of Scotland that the North-east is a serious player in both business and leisure tourism.
“We have city culture, with iconic granite buildings, including St Machar’s Cathedral in Old Aberdeen and Marischal College and attractions including the Maritime Museum and Tolbooth Museum; a rich fishing heritage, dramatic coastal scenery and unique wildlife watching opportunities – where else can you be in a city and watch a pod of urban dolphins?
“2015, Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink, is an exciting year for everyone involved in tourism, and business generated during the two days of expo will help ensure Scotland welcomes the world for many years to come.”
