VisitAberdeenshire update 12 July 2023

This week I was proud to launch our Annual Review of 2022/23. It is a reflection on the outputs and outcomes of a lot of hard work delivered by the VisitAberdeenshire team in support of the North-east tourism sector last year. In addition to delivering immediate results in 2022 from our marketing and communications, these actions laid the groundwork for this year through our industry development programme, and for the future through endeavours to secure tour operator contracts and valuable business events.

It is a team effort that extends beyond the confines of VisitAberdeenshire itself as we continue to work with businesses and organisations across the region who share our goals. More visitors, spending more time (and money) exploring deeper and leaving happier.

Chris Foy

Read our 2022/23 Annual Review

Earlier this week we published our annual review for 2022/23, demonstrating the impact of VisitAberdeenshire to drive visitation, support tourism business growth and secure future conference and business events. Highlights from the past year include:

• £3.4million visitor spend attributable to VisitAberdeenshire’s owned channels alone.
• Trailblazing Industry Development Programme supported 275 tourism and hospitality businesses in the region including 225 one to one sessions and 28 webinars and workshops, with a focus on sustainability, inclusive tourism and customer and market insights.
• Amplified PR efforts generated national features in Good Housekeeping, Country Living and The Telegraph highlighting quality visitor experiences.

Read VisitAberdeenshire’s Annual Review 2022/23

Do you ‘Know Your Destination’?

Our free online training programme is designed to help tourism and hospitality staff increase their knowledge of the North-east ahead of the summer holidays.

The training, which contains five modules across four subject areas, can be taken at learners’ own pace and businesses interested in signing up can find out more information on our website: ‘Know Your Destination’ Online Training Modules.

Webinar: Why Aberdeen? Explore new horizons | Wed 2 August, 2-2.30pm

Join us for a short webinar focused on business events in Aberdeen, exploring the benefits of business events and how you can tap into this market. The webinar is suitable for anyone interested in hosting and supporting business events and wants to learn more about how business events are won and the marketing messages employed to position Aberdeen as a premier business event destination.

Register for the webinar

Convention Bureau Update

Business Development Executives, Philip Chan and Rebecca McIntyre, recently attended The Meetings Show in London, where they promoted Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire to connections from the events, meetings and incentives community over two days of networking and pre-arranged appointments.

Travel Trade Update

Last month, we attended Destinations Exchange Europe in London. Over the course of two days, this new event from ETOA and City Destinations Alliance combined B2B meetings with knowledge exchange sessions to discuss product development, operational barriers and destination management.

Rachel Smith, Tourism Development Executive, met with buyers from the UK, Europe, North America and Asia to promote Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. Key themes in demand included adventure, off-the-beaten-track, unique stays, food and drink and even a request for Christmas themed products!

If you would like to develop a travel trade product, or discuss marketing your existing travel trade products contact industry@visitabdn.com.

Discover our new Phrase Book!

We have recently revamped our destination Phrase Book to help you have the most current themes and phrases to use in your own marketing at the tip of your fingers. Read the Phrase Book

Hold the date: Huntly area local networking meeting | 12 September, 10.30am – 1pm

You are invited to join VisitAberdeenshire at a local networking meeting in Huntly on Tuesday 12 September (venue TBC at a later date).

During the meeting, we will share an update on our activity and plans for the year ahead. You will also hear highlights from our marketing and PR activity over the past year, as well as how to get the most out of working with VisitAberdeenshire. There will be lots of time to network with fellow tourism and hospitality businesses over a light lunch and VisitAberdeenshire staff will be on hand if you have any questions for us. 

Register for the Huntly area local networking meeting

NEWS FROM OTHER ORGANISATIONS

Themed Years industry consultation

VisitScotland is working with the Scottish Government to examine the potential delivery options and thematic focus for a future Themed Year. An online survey has been launched which invites the tourism, events and related sectors to help shape the options for a future Themed Year.

The survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete and will close at midnight on Thursday 20 July. Complete the survey

Aberdeen City Council: Council spending – what’s important to you?

Aberdeen City Council has launched a public consultation that will help shape the 2024/25 Budget and future spending plans. The feedback will be shared with all Elected Members to help them decide how to allocate funds for running services.

Phase 1, which will run until the end of July, invites people to identify what they think should be the council’s spending priorities. For context, tourism development and destination marketing comes under the service area of Economic Development.

Complete the consultation survey

Visitor Levy Bill – Call for Evidence

The Scottish Parliament’s Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee has issued a Call for Evidence on the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill and are inviting responses from within the tourism sector in Scotland. The Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill and its accompanying documents can be accessed here: Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill – Bills (proposed laws) – Scottish Parliament | Scottish Parliament Website

Ways to respond to the consultation:

• Brief and general comments – https://engage.parliament.scot/group/29673

• Detailed response form – https://yourviews.parliament.scot/lghp/visitor-levy-bill/consultation/intro/

The deadline for responses is 1September 2023.

Apply for the 2023 Aberdeen and North East Green Badge Course

This training programme, delivered by the Scottish Tourist Guides Association, aims to prepare students to enter the tourism industry as professionally qualifies guides for the North East of Scotland region. Applications are open now, with interviews taking place in September and study commencing in October 2023.

Click here for more information and to apply

VisitScotland: Responsible Visitor Industry Guide

VisitScotland has updated its Responsible Visitor Industry Guide to help you encourage visitors to plan and enjoy a responsible trip to Scotland. The guide includes images, video and content that you can share directly with visitors to help them make more responsible and sustainable choices. View the guide

Just Transition Participatory Budgeting Fund

This fund supports eco-friendly, sustainable projects from third sector organisations and community groups across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray. Applications are currently open and close at 12 noon on 4 September 2023. Read more

All information is correct at the time of publishing, we recommend that you check opening times and information for individual places before visiting.