VisitAberdeenshire News - April 2026

How time flies! VisitAberdeenshire is celebrating the tenth anniversary of its formation, a decade after the ambitious merger of Visit Aberdeen, Visit Royal Deeside, Banffshire Coast Tourism Partnership to create a pioneering destination marketing and management model, supported by Opportunity North East, Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeen City Council.

From a baseline measure in 2019, the value of the visitor economy grew by 35% to £1.3billion in 2024, driven by dedicated team members who have brought sector specialism and marketing experience to VisitAberdeenshire’s mission. VisitAberdeenshire’s work has been recognised throughout the period with a Northern Star Marketing Magic win in 2019 and securing UKInbound’s prestigious Destination of the Year award in 2024.

Looking to our second decade, VisitAberdeenshire will continue to drive growth of the North-east visitor economy through maximising the value of major events like WRC Rally Scotland, through strong brand partnerships that support innovative marketing campaigns to further increase awareness, visits and associated spend, while fostering innovation, growth and collaboration among local tourism businesses.

Chris

Now is The Moment For Tourism Businesses to Shine

Entries are open for the Aberdeen City and Shire Thistle Awards – and this is your opportunity to be recognised as one of the very best in the region. Whether you’re delivering an outstanding Best Eating Experience, creating memorable stays in Best Hotel Experience or Best Self-Catering or Unique Stay, or offering something truly special and innovative to visitors, there are 15 categories that reflects what you do.

Reaching finalist or winner status isn’t just a badge – it brings real impact. Greater visibility, stronger credibility, new opportunities and a platform to showcase your business to wider audiences. It positions you at the forefront of tourism and hospitality in the north east.

If you know your business delivers a quality visitor experience, enter now and make sure you’re part of this year’s story.

To give yourself the best possible chance of success, we’d strongly encourage you to join one of our upcoming “How to Write a Winning Entry” sessions. These practical, no-nonsense workshops are designed to help you understand exactly what judges are looking for – and how to present your business in the strongest possible way.

You can attend in person on Wednesday 15 April, 2pm – 4pm at Sandman Signature Aberdeen Hotel or join our online webinar on Thursday 16 April, 10am–12pm.

If you’re serious about entering – and especially about becoming a finalist – these sessions will give you a real edge.

“To see ourselves as others see us”

We regularly ask audiences to choose the top three words that best and least describe our region. In our annual research, we also ask what defines their ideal holiday.

Top drivers of an ideal break: relaxing, good value, rich in culture and heritage, beautiful and fun.

How we are currently perceived:

Strongest associations

City - traditional, rich in culture and heritage, accommodation for all budgets.

Shire - traditional, rich in culture and heritage, beautiful.

Lower associations (consider selectively)

City - romantic, out of the ordinary, breathtaking.

Shire - easy to get to, upmarket, for all seasons.

What to do next:

Lean into strengths – build content around what we’re already known for, especially culture and heritage.

Be selective with gaps – only challenge perceptions that matter to your audience, offer or, thinking strategically, the region as a whole. Not every perceived weakness needs fixing.

Focus on relevance – prioritise messaging that aligns with what visitors actually want (eg. relaxation, value, experiences).

View the full results

MotorSport UK bring FIA World Rally Championship to Aberdeen

The internationally renowned FIA World Rally Championship returns to the UK with newly announced WRC Rally Scotland. From 2027 to 2029, P&J Live Aberdeen will host the rally’s central operations while North-east landscapes are showcased to a global audience. This is a major opportunity for tourism in the North-east that is set to benefit from increased visitor spend boosting the regions’ economy. Watch this space for updates on how this significant global event can be maximised.

Read more

Peterson Energy Logistics Renews Sponsorship of VisitAberdeenshire’s Cruise Volunteer Programme for 2026

VisitAberdeenshire’s much‑loved Welcome to Aberdeenshire volunteer programme will return for its fourth season in 2026, supported once again by headline sponsor Peterson Energy Logistics and in partnership with Port of Aberdeen.

The programme brings together 42 enthusiastic local volunteers who greet cruise passengers arriving at Aberdeen’s North and South Harbours. With more than 70 cruise calls scheduled between March and September, volunteers play a vital role in shaping first impressions of the region and inspiring visitors to return for longer stays.

While cruise season may only run for six months, the work to support Aberdeen’s visitors never stops. Outwith cruise calls, our Welcome to Aberdeenshire volunteer team remain active, engaged, and ready for the season ahead.

Read more

Take Part in the 2026 UK Conference and Meeting Survey (UKCAMS)

The 2026 ‘UK Conference and Meeting Survey’ (UKCAMS), sponsored by VisitBritain, is live. This is the only national survey that provides a year-on-year estimate on the size and value of the conference and meetings sector, conducted each year since 1993.

Aberdeen Convention Bureau is encouraging Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire venues to take part in the survey. Every business taking part will receive a complimentary, personalised report benchmarking performance against other similar venues nationally.

Access the survey

Deadline for participation is Friday 24 April 2026

Any information supplied is treated in full confidence and only aggregated information based on all reporting venues will be published. The information is used for research purposes only.

Opportunity to Attract Business From Conference Delegates 

Aberdeen Convention Bureau is inviting businesses across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire to engage with their Delegate Offers programme, offering exclusive deals for conference visitors while they are in the region. All business types are invited to participate - food & drink, attractions, entertainment, accommodation, tours, and more.

All offers will be promoted through Aberdeen Convention Bureau channels, including on our website, direct communication with conference organisers, and social media channels before and during each event. Businesses are welcome to disclose any T&C’s and exclusion days in conjunction with their offer.

To obtain a delegate offer, delegates are encouraged to show their conference pass or attendance confirmation email. Businesses will be sent a confirmed conference list, which will include conference name, date, and attendee numbers for the duration of the discount run.

This is a great opportunity to showcase your business to hundreds of visiting delegates, many of whom are keen to explore the region, dine out, and experience what Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire has to offer beyond the conference venue.

Get involved

Attract More Visitors. Boost Your Bookings. 

Highlight your attraction to visitors planning their summer getaways in the North-east and drive footfall to your site.

What’s included in this four-week campaign:

• Sponsored content - promoted across Facebook & Instagram
• Featured listing on visitabdn.com - seen by 34.6k+ monthly website visitors
• E-newsletter inclusion - to 139K+ engaged subscribers
• Your offer highlighted on visitabdn.com

Please note: Limited to a maximum of ten participating businesses

Get in touch with Gemma Laing, Advertising Sales Executive to find out more and book your space today.

Contact Gemma

Taste of Buchan Celebrates Third Successful Year Supporting Local Food, Businesses and Future Talent

VisitAberdeenshire was delighted to support Taste of Buchan for the third consecutive year, continuing its partnership in a project that brings together local businesses, schools and the wider community to celebrate the region’s food and drink sector while providing valuable real-world experience for young people.

Read more

NEWS FROM OTHER ORGANISATIONS

Aberdeen City Council Taxi and Private Hire Policy Consultation

As part of a scheduled review, the Licensing Committee at Aberdeen City Council are seeking views on the taxi and private hire policy document to determine whether any changes are required. The current policy can be viewed here and the survey questions can be accessed here  This consultation is live until 24 April 2026. 

ASSC Regional Gathering Aberdeen - The Future of Self-Catering - Regulations, Trends and What's Next

The Association of Scotland's Self-Caterers Regional Gathering in Aberdeen will take place this May - bringing Scotland's self-catering sector together for an afternoon of insight, connection and collaboration.

At a pivotal moment for Scotland's tourism industry, this event will explore the key issues shaping the sector - from regulation and policy changes to marketing, trends and the future of tourism.

Join operators, industry experts and partners from across Aberdeenshire and beyond for:

• Industry insights on the future of tourism
• Expert speakers sharing data, trends and practical marketing advice
• The State of the Nation panel covering licensing, planning, NDR and EPCs
• Networking with peers and sector leaders
• An exhibitor showcase supporting today's self-caterers
• A special wellbeing moment with SAMH

ASSC members receive two free tickets per membership, with tickets also available for non-members.

If you work in self-catering, tourism, hospitality - or support businesses in the sector - we encourage you to join the conversation and attend this important industry event.

Date: Wednesday 6 May 2026

Time: 1:15pm-5:00pm

Venue: Union Kirk, 333 Union Street, Aberdeen

 For tickets and programmes visit here