 | | AYRSHIRE & ARRAN STANDS OUT AT NATIONAL TOURISM EXPO | | Posted: 21.Apr.2010 | | |
Ayrshire and Arran led the way at VisitScotland’s annual Expo at the SECC in Glasgow last week as public and private sector partners from across the area worked together to promote the area on the show’s largest and most impressive stand.
Following on from the success of Ayrshire’s collaborative presence at the 2009 event which saw a partnership between the three Ayrshire Councils and six tourism operators, the 2010 stand included ten of Ayrshire’s leading tourism operators who came together with Council support staff on a custom-built stand designed to highlight the best of Ayrshire and Arran at Scotland’s flagship business to business event for the travel trade. Leading tourism businesses including Dumfries House, Simpsinns, Ayrshire Food Network, Ayrshire and Arran Hotels Association, The Park Hotel, VisitArran, Ayr Racecourse, Scottish Sailing Institute and Scotland’s West Coast Golf Links worked together over the two days to showcase their products and services to key buyers from around the globe.
Highlights included a special Whisky Masterclass, hosted by Euan Mitchell, Managing Director of Isle of Arran Distillers, highlighting the strength of the area’s food and drink producers to travel trade media representatives.
Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of East Ayrshire Council said: "We are working very hard to ensure that Ayrshire is viewed as a key destination for tourism so I am delighted that, in partnership with the other two Councils, we have been able to build on last year’s success to again support our industry partners in showcasing the area at VisitScotland Expo. We have organised the largest co-ordinated area presence at the show for the past two years and it is great to see Ayrshire leading on a national stage in terms of a joined-up approach to tourism promotion.”
Tuathal Breheny, Chair of Ayrshire & Arran Hotels Association, added: “Expo is a great opportunity to showcase Ayrshire and Arran and generate new business for the area. Many operators exhibit on their own but the model of public and private sector partners coming together to work on an area stand is fantastic. There is no doubt that we had the most prominent stand at the show, and we certainly generated a significant number of positive enquiries over the two days so I am confident that the area will benefit as a result.”
Philip Riddle, VisitScotland Chief Executive, said: “Ayrshire and Arran’s collaborative presence at Expo really underlines the importance of a joined up approach to tourism. Their co-ordinated stand presence stood out again this year, and it was clear to see that it worked well and provided a professional platform which maximised their market position and encouraged cross-selling amongst industry partners.”
Following the success of the collaborative presence over the past two years, plans are already underway to further strengthen Ayrshire and Arran’s position as a key tourism destination with a presence at the 2011 show in Aberdeen.
For further information please contact:
Daniel Steel
Tourism Promotion Adviser
East Ayrshire Council
Tel: 01563 503233
Email: daniel.steel@east-ayrshire.gov.uk
Or visit the website at: http://www.ayrshire-arran.com
Notes to editors:
VisitScotland Expo is Scotland’s flagship business to business event for the travel trade, attracting over 800 buyers from all sectors of the industry from around the UK and worldwide markets including Europe, USA, Japan, and Australia.
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