SEVERAL MORAY BUSINESSES will be sending representatives to Glasgow next week where they will promote the region to tourism industry specialists from around the world.
Flying the flag for Moray will be Johnstons of Elgin, the Station Hotel in Rothes, the Ballindalloch Estate and the Malt Whisky Trail.
Moray Speyside Tourism, the Destination Marketing Organisation (DMO) for one of Scotland’s most beautiful regions, will lead the largest ever representation from the area at VisitScotland Expo, which takes place at Glasgow’s SEC (Scottish Event Campus) on April 26 and 27.
The national tourism organisation’s flagship show will give 276 Scottish tourism businesses – including accommodation providers, visitor attractions and activity providers the opportunity to showcase their products and services to more than 600 tour operators and travel agents.
The event is expected to create a net economic impact of £2.5million for the local economy while, thanks to one-to-one appointments facilitated by VisitScotland, exhibitors are expected to generate an average of £22,000 worth of gross turnover as a result of attending.
Despite being one of Scotland’s smallest DMOs, Moray Speyside Tourism will occupy 12 stands at the exhibition, showcasing their tourism offering and promoting the region’s rich and diverse offer to the worldwide travel trade using the theme #madeinmoray.
Five key strands will highlight the region’s core strengths – action, adventure and outdoor, Food and Drink, History, Heritage and Culture, Landscape and Nature and Shopping and Staying.
Moray Speyside will be visited by international buyers on Expo-related familiarisation (fam) trips. This will include a group of 17 tour operators from emerging markets who will visit Johnstons of Elgin as part of their visit and another trip of 16 tour operators who will take a tour of Elgin, a visit to Johnstons and a trip to Glen Moray Distillery, as part of a fam trip showcasing the Heritage & Culture of the Northern Coast.
Jo Robinson, VisitScotland Regional Director, said: “It is very encouraging to see that this year sees the largest ever representation of Moray Speyside businesses at VisitScotland Expo – largely thanks to the help and support of Moray Speyside Tourism.
“These fantastic businesses are attending Expo to showcase the range of authentic experiences and great attractions this fantastic region has to offer. I am also pleased to see Moray Speyside attractions being visited by international buyers on fam trips – this gives them a real flavour of what their guests can enjoy while visiting the region.
“Tourism is more than a holiday experience – it creates jobs, sustains communities and provides a shop window for business activity.
“VisitScotland Expo provides local businesses with a fantastic opportunity to engage with tour operators and suppliers from all over the UK and overseas. It is crucial we work together to grow tourism and I am delighted to see such commitment from related businesses in Moray Speyside.”
Laurie Piper, Operations Manager at Moray Speyside Tourism, said: “We are delighted to be attending VisitScotland Expo once again and this year is set to be our biggest and best regional representation to date.
“Visitors to the Moray Speyside aisle will not only be treated to a warm welcome, they will also have the opportunity to taste for themselves some of the finest food and drink produced in Scotland today.
“We’ll be hosting a variety of tasting sessions, offering an authentic taste experience using only Moray Speyside produce. From locally produced craft gin and beer, to coffee, salmon and shortbread. Naturally, with Speyside being the home of malt whisky, there will also be a chance to sample and learn about the amber nectar from local experts.
“Our aisle is all about partnerships and how we can use these to promote our five key themes – action, adventure & outdoor; food & drink; history, heritage & culture; landscape & nature and shopping & staying – all of which demonstrate how great a place Moray Speyside is for visitors.”
For more information about Expo, visit www.visitscotlandexpo.com.