Perthshire Stand Is A Big Attraction

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Major success for travel-related businesses at vital VisitScotland Expo, thanks to Tourism PR expertsPicture Copyright Chris Watt Tel - 07887 554 193 info@chriswatt.com www.chriswatt.com


TOURISM businesses in Perthshire are bracing themselves for a surge in visitor numbers after the success of Perth & Kinross Council’s decision to organise its biggest collaborative stand at this year’s VisitScotlandexpo.

Nine of Perthshire’s most renowned destinations got together for the first time to showcase the region to the most influential UK and international buyers under The City of Perth and Perthshire destination stand.

The aim of the initiative – part of Perth & Kinross Council’s ongoing visitor market development work – was to encourage international and national coach operators, wholesale tourist agencies and other key buyers in the travel trade industry to consider the region’s visitor  attractions as essential stop-off destinations for future tours visits by UK and overseas tourists.

The nine Perthshire attractions all reported near 100% full appointments with interested buyers – and they are now hoping their efforts will drive more travel trade business to the region.

Suzanne Cumiskey, Business Development Officer for Perth & Kinross Council, said: “Everybody was very happy with the display that The City of Perth and Perthshire were able to provide at this year’s VisitScotlandexpo.

“It confirms the ongoing intent for The City of Perth and Perthshire to be showcased as a must-see destination for visitors to Scotland.

“Perth City itself – Scotland’s first ‘Coach Friendly City’ – offers outstanding coach and passenger facilities while the region’s history and heritage attractions are all within a short drive.”

Suzanne added that the expo also provided an opportunity for Perth & Kinross Council, Angus Council, Dundee City Council and Fife Council to collaborate to raise the profile of the East of Scotland as a visitor destination to link in with the opening in 2018 of the V&A Museum of Design Dundee.

Tourism is a key sector for Perth & Kinross, generating over £460 million each year to the local economy.

The Scottish Tourism Economic Activity Monitor 2013 also identified 1.9 million visitors to Perthshire – and the sector contributes to the employment of 8,940 people – 13% of the    region’s total workforce.

Strathearn Distillery, Scotland’s smallest distillery, was runner-up in the ‘most appealing space only’ stall, which featured a miniature still to illustrate with their small batch operation.

Along with the other stall-holders, Strathearn Distillery was eager to praise the hard-work and collaboration of Perth & Kinross Council.

Stuart MacMillan, Distillery Manager, said: “As we’re quite a small business it’s been a great opportunity to be represented with some other fantastic Golf Perthshire standlocal businesses.

“Working together opens up opportunities, not just for us, but for the region as a whole. We really feel that these kinds of events help to raise the level of business for everyone in the Perthshire area.

“We’re over the moon to have been recognised for our stand as well, I’m sure our layout played a big part in filling the bulk of our appointment times over the weekend.”

Blair Castle, who attended the 2015 VisitScotlandexpo, was delighted to see the progress made by The City of Perth and Perthshire stand.

Stuart Letford, Marketing and Communications Officer, said: “Our stand was a lot busier than last year and we had an excellent uptake on our appointment times.

“What was particularly encouraging was the level of interest from new clients.

“Perth & Kinross Council have been absolutely fantastic bringing all the businesses together, it certainly seems to have peaked interest in the region. What’s more the stall looked great.”

As Scotland’s first Coach Friendly City, Perth City’s two new coach stops aims to improve coach access while encouraging coach tourism.

The businesses who attended The City of Perth and Perthshire were:

–          Scone Palace

–          The Black Watch Castle and Museum

–          The Library of Innerpeffray

–          The Famous Grouse Experience at Glenturret Distillery

–          Strathearn Distillery

–          Blair Castle

–          Pitlochry Festival Theatre

–          Golf Perthshire

–          Visit East Perthshire