MORE THAN 280 Scottish tourism businesses are to take part in a virtual exhibition this week in a bid to reconnect with the rest of the world.
The event will also involve more than 300 global tour operators and travel agents in international markets.
Run by VisitScotland, the online travel trade workshop event will help Scottish businesses connect with key figures in the sector in order to attract visitors and help rebuild the country’s tourism industry following the pandemic.
In 2019, before the pandemic hit, international visitors made 3.5 million overnight stays in Scotland, spending £2.5 billion – 43% of the total overnight spend.
Inbound passenger numbers to the UK in July last year were 89% fewer at 1.3m passenger arrivals, down from 11.1m arrivals in July 2019.
The inaugural Scotland Reconnect event last November involved 5000 meetings and this week, buyers from 26 countries, including the USA, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Australia, Brazil and the Middle East are attending, as well as London-based inbound operators representing the Japanese and Chinese markets.
Jim Clarkson from VisitScotland said the last 12 months had been “extremely challenging” for tourism but demand was building and businesses were ready to offer a warm welcome back to visitors when the time was right.
“Scottish tourism punches above its weight on the world stage and we need to leverage this reputation to bring new investment, new events, new airlines and new visitors once visitors can travel freely in 2021-22 again,” he said.
“Until Expo can return safely, Scotland Reconnect is the next best way to keep Scotland at the forefront of people’s minds.”
Delegates will take part in one-to-one meetings as well as round table discussions on the latest issues affecting world travel and tourism. There will be a chance to hear about new tourism product offerings, trends like agritourism and adventure tourism and VisitScotland’s drive towards responsible tourism.
There will also be a look ahead to next year’s The Year of Scotland’s Stories, a showcase of the country’s rich literature, film, oral traditions, myths and legends.
It is anticipated there will be around 7000 business meetings and there will be virtual experiences demonstrating what Scotland can offer buyers’ clients. Those featured will include Deanston Distillery, The Real Mary King’s Close, Kitchen Coos & Ewes and Once Upon a Whisky.
“It has been a tough year for the travel trade and the event is the ideal forum for us ... Scotland Reconnect will help make a brighter future for us and facilitate broader horizons for our customers,” said Jonathan Trew of Glasgow Music City Tours, one of the businesses taking part in the event, which runs from April 27-29.
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