VisitAberdeenshire update 11 January 2023
11 January 2023
We start 2023 with a bumper newsletter as our industry development programme really hits its stride with a packed programme of webinars, workshops and one-to-one advice opportunities for local tourism businesses between now and Easter. Following our December networking events in Aboyne and Macduff, we’re now looking forward to our next gathering in Fraserburgh on 7 February and look forward to seeing many of you there.
There are two areas where we are looking for specific insight at the moment. Firstly, please do complete our quarterly business monitor questionnaire. This really helps to illustrate the challenges currently faced by the sector in the North-east. Secondly - and specifically for anyone connected with the golf sector – we are collating an update of new development in North-east golf tourism for the year ahead to enhance our promotion to travel trade and travel media.
Chris Foy
How has business been this last quarter?
The region's Tourism Quarterly Business Monitor #6 is now live.
Why take part?
The more businesses that take part, the richer and more accurate a picture we will all have.
The shareable quarterly report will provide actionable information for your business, VisitAberdeenshire and the industry as a whole, giving baseline data relating to enquiries, bookings and optimism as we look ahead.
Our ask?
Please take 5 minutes now to give us your thoughts on the past quarter, together with a look ahead to the rest of this year.
We also ask that you share it with your own contacts, either via email or on LinkedIn/Twitter, to encourage them to also fill it in. Advocacy is one of the greatest motivators!
The survey is open until Monday 16 January at 8pm.
Complete the Quarterly Business Monitor
VisitAberdeenshire Industry Development Programme – upcoming workshops and webinars
We are delighted to share a range of opportunities to develop your digital marketing skills over the next few months, delivered exclusively for tourism and hospitality businesses in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
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Delivered in partnership with Business Gateway, the webinars and workshops below each come with the opportunity to receive a one-to-one advice session to help you apply the learnings to your own business.
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
SEO is fundamental practice for your business to ensure you can be found online. This 3-hour workshop with interactive sessions will help you understand both the importance and the practical application of SEO, including the key steps you can take to climb Google rankings and generate visits to your websites. We’ll cover what SEO is, why it matters for you and how to improve your website’s SEO.
Workshop
Date: Monday 16 January
Time: 2 – 5pm (light lunch and opportunity to network from 1.30pm)
Venue: Leonardo Hotel & Conference Venue, Aberdeen Airport
Webinar
Date: Thursday 19 January
Time: 10am – 1pm
Venue: Zoom
Making the most of Google Tools
How can you use Google to make sure visitors find your business for trip planning, booking or general information gathering? Google has the tools to make sure your business is discoverable and stand out from the rest. During this 3-hour workshop with interactive sessions, you’ll learn Google dos and don’ts, how to put yourself on the map, and secure bookings. We’ll cover Google Business Profile, Ads, Analytics and more.
Workshop
Date: Monday 30 January
Time: 2-5pm (light lunch and a chance to network from 1:30pm)
Venue: Ardoe House Hotel
Webinar
Date: Thursday 2 February
Time: 10am – 1pm
Venue: Zoom
Social media and website analytics
How much do you really know about how your social media activity and website are performing? Often, it takes just a few simple changes to improve engagement across social media and your website but if you don’t know what’s happening, you can’t fix it. During this 3-hour workshop with interactive sessions, you’ll learn how to develop a smart approach to online marketing that’s informed by your data. Topics covered include how to know what, where, and when your audience wants to hear from you, who’s active on which platforms, and how to use and gain the right insights from your social media platforms.
Workshop
Date: Tuesday 21 February
Time: 10am – 1pm (registration and a chance to network from 9:30am, light lunch at 1pm)
Venue: Maryculter House Hotel
Webinar
Date: Thursday 23 February
Time: 2pm – 5pm
Venue: Zoom
Creating engaging video content
Do you know your Reels from your TikToks and your Stories from your Shorts? In 2023, video will be even more at the heart of marketing than it was in 2022. From capturing what makes your brand special, to showcasing your location and processes and sharing the people behind the brand, video is key to getting your messages out there. This 3-hour practical workshop will cover the different types of video content and when to use them, how different platforms use video, how to capture great video and turn it into engaging content, plus free editing tools that will help make you look like a pro.
Workshop
Date: Tuesday 7 March
Time: 10am – 1pm (registration and a chance to network from 9:30am, light lunch at 1pm)
Venue: To be announced
Workshop
Date: Thursday 9 March
Time: 2pm – 5pm (registration, light lunch and a chance to network from 1:30pm)
Venue: To be announced
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Digital Marketing Masterclass
In response to popular demand, we are offering another opportunity to take part in our Digital Marketing Masterclass with digital marketing expert Stephen Whitelaw.
The masterclass will cover the principles of digital marketing including visitor persona analysis, social media, internationalisation and website discovery through search engine optimisation (SEO).
Prior to the masterclass, Stephen will review your online presence, including your website. After the masterclass, we will schedule a 45-minute one-to-one advice session, where Stephen will provide useful tips and recommendations on your digital presence, including how to get your website found, increase the speed and improve overall user experience.
Date: Thursday 9 February
Time: 9:30am - 12:30pm (registration and a chance to network from 9am, light lunch at 12.30pm)
Venue: The Aberdeen Altens Hotel
Followed by One-to-One Session: 45-minute slots will be available on the afternoon of 9 February and all day on 10 February and will take place virtually at a time to suit you.
Last chance to register for a Sustainability Review of your business
Are you aware of the importance of becoming more sustainable but not sure where to start? Or do you need help to identify the sustainability changes that will have the most impact for your business? If you answered yes to either of the above questions, or simply want to develop a better understanding of sustainability and how it can benefit your business, a Sustainability Review will be of benefit to you.
With increasing customer focus and expectations on enjoying destinations in a sustainable way, we have contracted with sustainability accreditation provider, Green Tourism, to offer a sustainability review of your business at no cost to you.
The review is designed to help you start or make further progress on making your business more sustainable and greener and you will receive a prioritised action plan tailored to your business outlining the steps you can take to become more sustainable.
The deadline to apply to receive a sustainability review has been extended and we are taking registrations until 31 January.
For more information and to register, visit industry.visitabdn.com/sustainability.
If you have any questions, please email Christina at industry@visitabdn.com.
Join us at our next local networking meeting – Fraserburgh and Peterhead area
Our first local networking meeting of 2023, aimed at tourism and hospitality businesses in the Peterhead, Fraserburgh and surrounding area, will take place on Tuesday 7 February at the Ban-Car Hotel.
The meeting is an opportunity for you to hear more about the new Destination Strategy ‘Framework for Growth’, our marketing activity, as well as how to get the most out of working with VisitAberdeenshire. We would also like to use the meeting to hear your views on tourism in the North-east. The meetings will be followed by the option of booking a one-to-one session with one of the VisitAberdeenshire team.
The meeting is relevant for all types of tourism and hospitality businesses, and we also welcome registrations from businesses located outside the Fraserburgh and Peterhead area.
Date: Tuesday 7 February
Time: Registration 10.30am, meeting 11am – 12.30pm followed by a networking lunch
Location: Ban-Car Hotel, Lonmay, Fraserburgh
Registration link: Click here to register
Book a one-to-one session: 20-minute slots are available between 1.30pm - 3.30pm. To book a time, please email Kayleigh McLeish (industry@visitabdn.com) indicating your preferred time.
Could you make the news?
As part of our PR efforts, we’re on the lookout for news about your business. Perhaps you have a new product in development or have been celebrating a special milestone. Let us know about it!
It’s important to keep us updated on new developments within your business that might be an interesting news story to journalists or potential visitors.
Please send any news to Laura Delaney, Head of Communications, laura.delaney@visitabdn.com
What’s new in golf?
We are also keen to hear about any developments in North-east golf tourism for 2023. From new packages to updates from hotels popular with golfers, to events and on-course developments, anything newsworthy will help with our ongoing promotion to the travel trade and the travel media.
If you have anything to share, please email Laura Delaney, laura.delaney@visitabdn.com by Friday 3 February.
Opportunity to join VisitAberdeenshire
Do you love Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire? Do you want to help shape the future of tourism in the region? We have two exciting vacancies to join the team at VisitAberdeenshire, Head of Tourism Development and Business Events Executive.
To find out more about our vacancies go to https://www.visitabdn.com/about-us/vacancies/ and download the recruitment packs or contact our HR & Business Services Manager, Fiona Douglas on jobs@visitabdn.com.
Time’s running out to get discounted membership of a sustainability certification scheme
The Sustainable Certification Fund for Tourism Recovery offers a £500 discount on membership fees to businesses within the tourism industry looking to gain green certification. For many tourism businesses this means that the first year of sustainability certification is free of charge. The fund is available on a first come, first served basis until March 2023 (or until all available funding has been allocated) and is available through three tourism certification scheme providers: Green Tourism, Green Key and EarthCheck. Read more
If you are signing up to receive a sustainability review of your business and are interested in joining Green Tourism using the Sustainable Certification Fund, please indicate this when completing our registration questionnaire.
Aberdeenshire Council: Short-term let licencing webinar recording
Aberdeenshire Council hosted online information sessions in December about short-term let licencing and the application process. A recording of the webinar, slides and Q&A from the session are available here.
The Power of Food Tourism: Scotland’s food tourism conference
The Power of Food Tourism, a half-day conference delivered in partnership by Scotland Food & Drink and the Scottish Tourism Alliance, will take place at the SEC, Glasgow, on Tuesday 8 March 2023, alongside ScotHot, Scotland’s premier showcase for food, drink, hospitality, and tourism.
Toolkit for land-based tourism businesses
SAC Consulting, part of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), has developed a six-part toolkit for prospective, new and existing land-based tourism businesses.
The toolkit, which was funded by the University Innovation Fund, is divided into six sections and outlines the different types of businesses, recommended skills and relevant course providers.
Find out more and download the toolkit
DCMS VAT Refund Scheme for museums and galleries
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) VAT Refund Scheme for museums and galleries has now reopened for applications from eligible museums and galleries.
The closing date for this round of applications is Wednesday 1 March 2023. More details about the scheme, eligibility criteria and application information are available on the Museums Galleries Scotland website.
All information is correct at the time of publishing, we recommend that you check opening times and information for individual places before visiting.