VisitAberdeenshire update 19 December 2022
19 December 2022
As 2022 draws to a close, we reflect on another challenging year for the tourism sector. We entered the year amidst the uncertainty of the omicron variant, and even as the immediate impact subsided, well documented challenges continued to be faced by those operating across the visitor economy.
The team at VisitAberdeenshire continued to be fleet of foot in response to changing dynamics, including the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth, as we consistently delivered a highly impactful range of promotional activities, and an industry development programme that has been so well received by so many who have taken part.
We maintain that momentum into 2023 and look forward to working with you.
Wishing you all a very merry Christmas
Chris Foy
Influential magazine, Good Housekeeping names Aberdeenshire as best place to visit in 2023
We are absolutely delighted to see Aberdeenshire at the very top of Good Housekeeping's list of top holiday destinations for 2023, ahead of iconic locations such as Aruba and the Swiss Alps. It is an outstanding achievement - particularly as the demographic of the magazine's readership is an ideal fit for many experiences in our region - and it is the latest example of the enhanced media profile that we are continuing to earn for the North-east.
This accolade is the result of hard work put in by the VisitAberdeenshire team throughout 2022 when we have put significant focus on influencing UK travel and lifestyle media, including Good Housekeeping. Through our new approach to destination PR, we endeavour to attract the best travel writers to the region and provide them with inspirational itineraries to demonstrate just how wonderful our destination really is.
VisitAberdeenshire Industry Development Programme
We have a wide range of workshops and webinars planned for January - March. In partnership with Business Gateway, on offer are:
Search Engine Optimisation
16 January, 2 - 5pm, workshop
19 January, 10am - 1pm, webinar
Google Tools
30 January, 2 - 5pm, workshop
2 February, 10am - 1pm, webinar
Web and Social Media Analytics
21 February, 10am - 1pm, workshop
23 February, 2 - 5pm, webinar
Creating Video Content
7 March, 10am - 1pm, workshop
9 March, 2 - 5pm, workshop
They all include the option of one to one advice.
Also, due to demand, we are offering another opportunity to take part in the highly rated Digital Marketing Masterclass, which includes a review of your entire digital presence with one to one advice on how to improve.
Digital Marketing Masterclass
9 February, 10am - 1pm, workshop
Followed by a one to one advice session on the afternoon of 9 February/10 February
Registration for all of these opportunities will open soon. Check the local industry section of our website for all the latest information
Also planned for early next year are sessions on accessible and inclusive tourism and the latest customer and market insights.
Read the results from our latest Quarterly Business Monitor
Did you manage to fill out our October quarterly monitor where we asked businesses in the region to give us their insight on past performance, and a look ahead to enquiries and bookings? If so, you'll be particularly interested in the summarised results which you'll find here. We have also created a slide deck with more detailed results which are available on the Insights section of our Industry website.
Do look out for the next wave which will be in January - the more business responses we receive, the more reliable and informative the results.
Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism Awards winners
The eighth annual Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism Awards (ACSTA) took place on 11 November at the Chester Hotel. The awards celebrate and recognise excellence in the region's hospitality and tourism sectors.
Our congratulations to all of the worthy winners from across the North-east.
You can view the full list of winners by visiting www.acsta.co.uk/winners
Short-Term Let Licensing application deadline extended
The Scottish Government has announced that the date by which existing operators of short-term lets must apply for a licence has been extended by six months, from 1 April 2023 to 1 October 2023.
Updated information on the changes and guidance on what this means can be found on VisitScotland.org.
Aberdeenshire flag - vote now for the flag you want to officially represent the region!
Following a competition launched in September, dozens of schools across the North-east and individual designers from all over the world submitted their designs for the flag that will officially represent Aberdeenshire into the future. The judging panel made a shortlist from the hundreds of entries and after being adapted by Scotland's leading flag expert, Philip Tibbetts, to fit the strict rules of heraldry, the flags are now ready to go to a vote. Voting is open until New Year's Day and the winner will be revealed later in January.
View the shortlist and submit your vote
Latest insights from 56 Degree Insight
In mid-October, 56 Degree Insight ran the 4th of its quarterly waves of 'Scotland's Viewpoint'. The survey results share the latest insights into Scots holiday taking behaviours and shows that although nearly three quarters of Scottish residents have been taking holidays this year, fewer trips are still being taken than was the case pre-pandemic, with the cost of living crisis really biting into holiday intentions for 2023. Read the results
A second piece of research, undertaken in partnership with Edinburgh Napier University and ATHE, aimed to find out more about the sector's reputation and the attractiveness of hospitality and tourism as a career choice. The findings highlighted that, whilst the majority of the population recognise the significant importance of tourism to the economy and support its development, views on the attractiveness of the sector as a career choice were somewhat polarised. You can view an infographic of the results here.
Short course - Sustainable, Entrepreneurial and Innovative Tourism Business Management
This short course, delivered online by Edinburgh Napier University, introduces participants to sustainability as a tourism sector driver, and will develop and enhance capacity to add innovation, skills and strategies appropriate to tourism businesses now and into the future. The deadline to apply is Monday 31 January. Read more and apply
TalentScotland visitor economy webinar
TalentScotland is running a webinar exploring visa routes for the visitor economy and how the Skilled Worker route and some other low-cost visa routes can help businesses to access overseas talent. The webinar will take place on Wednesday 18 January 2023, 10-11am. Click here to register for the webinar
Age friendly customer services workshop
Age Scotland, in partnership with Skills Development Scotland, is running free Age Friendly Customer Services workshops, January - March, for people working in the tourism sector. The workshops will help you understand how your organisation can offer excellent customer service, and attract and retain lucrative new customers, especially the older market. This is particularly salient as it connects to the priority in the new Destination Strategy that the region should address the opportunities arising from changing demographics
To book your place and find out about the range of free support facilities for Scotland's tourism sector, visit www.age.scot/tourism.
Financial strategy for the cost crisis workshop
Join Business Gateway for a specialised workshop with experienced finance director, Derek Leslie of Delfinity Consultancy. During the workshop, Derek will highlight the support and resources that are available to you and you will come away with a more structured focus on several key areas to help strengthen your business finances and prepare you for the future survival of your business.
The workshops will run December - February at venues in Aberdeen, Peterhead and Inverurie. Visit www.bgateway.com to find out more and register.