Tour operators, DMCs and travel advisors can book their place to connect with Scottish businesses and destination management organizations next year. Registrations for the national tourism organization’s “Discover Scotland: Reconnect 2022” have opened, providing an exclusive opportunity for the international travel trade to connect with the industry in Scotland.
VisitScotland’s virtual event program takes place April 5-7, 2022 and will offer a mix of pre-scheduled and ad hoc meeting appointments between Scottish exhibitors and international buyers, on-demand content and virtual experiences. The focus of the event will be driven by new responsible product development by enabling Scottish businesses to showcase their commitment to make Scotland a leading destination for sustainable, accessible and inclusive tourism.
To complement this focus, the event program will include roundtable panel discussions, covering the opportunities and challenges of responsible tourism, promoting sustainable products and encouraging responsible product development. To note: The latest consumer sentiment indicates that responsible tourism is a consideration for many travelers across the world, with nearly two-thirds of visitors saying they considered sustainability and the environmental impact when planning future holidays.
Good to know: The virtual event will cater to different time zones, making Scottish exhibitors very accessible to all advisors.
International visitors are vital to Scottish tourism and in 2019, people from outside of the U.K. made 3.5 million overnight stays in the country, spending £2.5 billion (approximately $3.3 billion), which was 43 percent of the total overnight spend in Scotland.
VisitScotland has continued to engage with international markets throughout the pandemic, hosting two online travel trade events, “Scotland Reconnect,” in each 2020 and in 2021. The event this year saw 390 buyers from 26 countries connect online with almost 300 Scottish suppliers.
In Other News
Beyond the "Discover Scotland" event, United Airlines has announced the launch of new direct flight routes from the U.S. to Edinburgh:
- Newark Liberty International Airport from March 5, 2022 (daily)
- Philadelphia International Airport from May 7, 2022 (seasonal daily)
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport from May 7, 2022 (seasonal daily)
In addition, there's plenty going on in Edinburgh that might entice travelers to visit. On the hotel front, the Gleneagles Townhouse—Gleneagles’ first city hotel, comprising an all-day restaurant, roof terrace and members’ club—is coming to Edinburgh’s St. Andrew Square this spring. 100 Princes Street Hotel, a member of Red Carnation Hotels, will be opening in April 2022. The hotel will celebrate the history of this location by incorporating bespoke pieces by the finest local artisans, coupled with Scottish hospitality. W Edinburgh will be opening this winter, while Edinburgh Roomzzz is set to debut in spring—both located in St. James Quarter.
In the same neighborhood, nearby to Edinburgh’s Waverley train station, Phase 1 of the hub of shops, restaurants and leisure venues opened to the public in summer. Dozens of retailers opened their doors, including Zara, Pull & Bear, & Other Stories, Lego, Miele and some High Street favorites. Edinburgh’s first food hall, Bonnie and Wild Scottish Marketplace, also opened in the new St. James Quarter. The marketplace brings together the best independent food and drink producers Scotland has to offer to create an outstanding social dining experience under one roof.
Johnnie Walker Princes Street, set over eight floors, will bring to life the story of the brand and its makers, creating a unique welcome for people from around the world. The Edinburgh venue will be the centerpiece of a £185 million (approximately $246 million) investment to transform Diageo’s Scotch whisky visitor experiences at distilleries around Scotland, including the recently refurbished distilleries at Clynelish (Highlands) and Glenkinchie (East Lothiann/Lowlands).
Visit www.visitscotland.com.
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