24/01/2012
Welcome to your first 2012 issue of Tourism Matters.
VisitScotland and Scotland’s tourism industry has had a busy and productive start to the year and, as you’ll see from the short updates below, a successful one.
We’ve launched our new TV advert continuing the success of the Surprise Yourself campaign and marking the start of the Year of Creative Scotland and highlighting Scotland’s wealth of creative activity to visitors. Surprise Yourself has already delivered £90 million to Scotland’s economy since launching last year and is VisitScotland’s most successful campaign to date.
Visitor numbers for the first three quarters of 2011 have been published and showed a growth of 8 per cent, with the domestic market continuing to do well. Meanwhile, a headline investment in Scotland’s tourism industry was announced by Emirates Airlines, who will begin a second daily, direct service from Dubai to Glasgow this summer.
These exciting developments illustrate the importance and on-going potential of tourism to Scotland’s economy, and VisitScotland is working with industry partners to ensure that the country enjoys all the benefits from what VisitScotland calls The Winning Years. These are the years from now through to and including 2014 which will see the country in the international spotlight as never before as we build up to stage the Commonwealth Games, The 2014 Ryder Cup and the next year of Homecoming.
There is so much going in tourism at the moment and this March’s Tourism Week, organised by the Scottish Tourism Forum, is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the industries priorities.
I would also like to bring your attention to VisitScotland’s Thistle Awards - a celebration of the very best of Scotland’s tourism industry. Further information can be found in this issue of Tourism Matters and please do share this information with tourism businesses in your constituency and businesses, encouraging them to seek recognition for the work they do.
Malcolm Roughead OBE
Chief Executive, VisitScotland
23/01/2012
Welcome to the first eUpdate of 2012, which marks the start of the ‘Winning Years’ with the Year of Creative Scotland 2012 and the opportunities of both the Olympics and the Disney/Pixar film Brave.
It could be an especially winning year for you, if you take home a Scottish Thistle Award in November. The awards have been relaunched and are now open for entries until 2 March, so the time to think about an application is right now!
Based on industry consultation, we’ve made some changes to the awards. We’ll have four regional awards ceremonies, the winners of which will become the national finalists in November. We’ve also made them easier to apply for, and increased their role in providing knowledge, advice and support year-round.
In that respect, they are more than just another awards ceremony. They also complement the support offered by Skills Development Scotland, Business Gateway and the enterprise companies that together are there to help you make a success of your business.
We’re one team for tourism - and it’s worth celebrating.
Kind regards
Malcolm Roughead OBE
Chief Executive - VisitScotland
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