VisitAberdeenshire News - January 2025

Writing this while a blanket of snow shrouds the city and shire, and with the sun setting at 3.46pm, the summer season and all it brings to the region does seem like a long way away.

While there is a lot to look forward to, and to navigate, in the year ahead, the here and now should not be overlooked. We’re delighted to have launched phase two of the Northern Nights campaign this week with a firm eye on season extension, and a flurry of workshops, webinars and networking opportunities are in the diary in the run up to Easter. We hope to see many of you at these events and wish you all a happy and prosperous 2025.

Northern Nights campaign resumes after Christmas break

In October, we launched our new winter marketing campaign, Northern Nights, focusing on the sights and sounds of winter. The campaign took a short break in December to avoid getting lost amongst the Christmas traffic. However, we are delighted to see it back in full swing across paid-for social adverts and contextual advertising in relevant places.

To find out more about the campaign and how you can get involved, click here. You can also tag us in your social media posts ‘@visitabdn’ and using the hashtag ‘#NorthernNights’.

Tall Ships Races – 19–22 July 2025

Preparations are underway for the return of the Tall Ships Races in July 2025 after nearly 30 years since they last visited the region. Ahead of the festival on 19-22 July, tourism and hospitality businesses across the city and shire are invited to attend a webinar on Tuesday 18 February, to find out more about the plans and what it could mean for your business. During the webinar, you will hear from Tall Ships Races 2025, EventScotland, VisitScotland, VisitAberdeenshire and Aberdeen Inspired. To find out more and to register, click here. 

Tall Ships Races are also looking for volunteers and sail trainees. Volunteers must be over the age of 16 and willing to do at least three shifts. More information can be found here. Sail trainees must be aged between 15 and 25, with an AB postcode. No experience is needed and fully funded opportunities are available for the 10 day sail from France – Aberdeen or Aberdeen – Norway. To find out more, click here.

Applications for both volunteers and sail trainees close on 31 January.

How would you describe our region to prospective visitors?

VisitAberdeenshire will be updating its Phrase Book this spring and is inviting you to contribute your ideas for the next edition. The Phrase Book was created as a free resource for local tourism businesses as a selection of words and phrases that describe Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, highlighting common themes that you may choose to adopt throughout your own marketing communications. Since first publication four years ago, our destination has even more to highlight, and more ways to talk about it. What would you add? We will welcome ideas for words and phrases, and for new sections.

Take a look and send your ideas to Laura Delaney on laura.delaney@visitabdn.com before Friday 31 January.

Read all about it: Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire in the news 

Following a press visit from a journalist in autumn 2024, Country Walking featured Aberdeen as a weekend break destination, highlighting Greyhope Bay, Aberdeen Science Centre and Old Aberdeen to meander on foot. Coast magazine pinpointed Aberdeen Art Gallery's Artist Textiles Picasso to Warhol exhibition as a reason to travel now. Our famous castles were mentioned in a round-up by The Sun on the back of the launch of BBC One's 'The Traitors'. Bram Stoker's links to Cruden Bay were explored deeper in The Daily Express and our beaches made Keep Scotland Beautiful's top 50, including Balmedie, Fraserburgh and Peterhead. 

Responsible Tourism one to one advice available

Responsible Tourism is key for the future of the tourism industry, benefiting the environment, community, and your business. VisitAberdeenshire’s new toolkit helps you implement responsible tourism actions, from fostering inclusivity to adopting sustainable practices. We are offering tailored 1-to-1 advice sessions to align with your business goals, from which you will receive a set of actions from the toolkit.  

Sign up to explore new opportunities for sustainable growth and access wider markets. 

Follow the link below complete the online form, and our team will be in touch to schedule an appointment. 

Click here to register 

Upcoming VisitAberdeenshire webinar and workshops

News from other organisations

North East Scotland Food & Drink Showcase

Get involved in the North East Scotland Food & Drink Showcase 2025, presented by Opportunity North East and Scotland Food & Drink as part of the Regional Food Group programme. This one-day exhibition is the ultimate opportunity for buyers and suppliers to connect, discover, and grow within Scotland’s vibrant food and drink sector.

The North East is renowned for its high-quality meats and seafood, drinks and fresh produce, all of which meet the growing consumer demand for locally sourced, sustainable products with a strong story behind them.

If you are a buyer involved in retail, foodservice, hospitality, tourism, or catering, the North East Scotland Food & Drink Showcase will provide access to some of the region's most ambitious, passionate and premium producers, and provide you with the opportunity to discover the range of high-quality, local products on offer.

Don’t miss out on the chance to forge relationships, build contacts, and source exceptional products directly from the region's top producers.

Monday, 3 March 2025, 9.00am – 3.30pm 

Thainstone Centre, Inverurie, AB51 5XZ

Apply here: North East Scotland Food & Drink Showcase 2025 - Buyer Application by 7 February, to secure your place. 

Tickets on sale for The Scottish Tourism Month Signature Conference Series

March is Scottish Tourism Month, an opportunity to celebrate the tourism and hospitality industry’s contribution to Scotland, and highlight the support required to overcome challenges in order to survive and grow sustainably.

The Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) is delivering a specially curated programme of events throughout the month, including the Signature Conference Series which will be held on 10^th and 11^th March 2025.

Taking place in Edinburgh and featuring a series of workshops alongside the Signature Conference, it is designed to connect, support and empower attendees.

Click here to find out more.

Learning journey support for SMEs

Aberdeen City Council have launched a new Grant Scheme to support businesses connected to the Digital Tech, Tourism and Food and Drink sectors overcome the financial barriers associated with attending trade shows.

The scheme provides grants of up to £500 to businesses looking to attend a UK-based trade show, exhibition or conference and up to £1000 for those looking to attend events overseas. The scheme is open until 28^th February or until all funds have been allocated. To find out more about the support available, click here.

Support available from DWP to help your business with employee recruitment and retention

The Department for Work and Pensions is working to embed and expand the Disability Confident and Access to Work schemes across companies in the Aberdeen City and Shire region. The Disability Confident scheme could help you discover someone your business just can’t do without.

Whether an existing employee has developed a disability or health condition during their working life, or you’re looking for new recruits, being Disability Confident can help your people fulfil their potential and contribute fully to your team’s success. Disability Confident is completely free, and as a member you’ll be seen as leading the way in your business sector and beyond, helping to change attitudes, behaviours and cultures for the better.

Disability Confident helps businesses draw from the widest possible pool of talent, save on the costs of recruitment and training by reducing staff turnover, and improve employee morale and commitment by demonstrating that they treat all employees fairly, amongst other benefits.

To find out more, search “Disability Confident” on the Gov.UK website or please contact Martin Morley: Martin.Morley@DWP.GOV.UK to arrange a conversation.

Click here for more information on both Access to Work and Disability Confident.