All aboard for 2020 in Forth Valley

2020 will be a year to remember in Forth Valley as the Year of Coasts and Waters sets sail bringing events and an air of excitement to the area. But reflecting on the year just past, there was plenty to celebrate too with some promising developments for the region’s tourism industry.

“Tourism across the region was boosted in 2019 by the opening of new attractions such as the Stirling Distillery in the historic city. In addition to, new products strategically targeting new markets and aimed at the Travel Trade, such as the new Revolution Tour launched at the Falkirk Wheel – have been launched just in time for #YCW2020. 

“The Solheim Cup swung into Scotland in 2019 and brought with it record crowds of more than 90,000 - making it the highest attended women’s golf event ever held in the UK. The event was held at Gleneagles – on Forth Valley’s doorstep – and VisitScotland hosted a special carnival in honour of the tournament at its Stirling iCentre. Staff handed out Solheim Cup empire biscuits and faced off against visitors in a putting challenge. The 2019 Solheim Cup offered a significant opportunity to increase the number of golfing visitors to Scotland.

“Our reputation as a quality destination relies on continued investment, innovation and collaboration to ensure that current provision meets future demand. Examples of this include plans for the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region deal are taking shape with the two local authority areas working together to make some game changing investments to the regional tourism offering. There are also transformational plans for a National Tartan Centre in Stirling, as well as £15 million for capital projects specifically relating to heritage, culture and tourism, across the two regions.

“2020 promises more exciting developments with whisky lovers in for a treat.  The new Falkirk Distillery plans to open later this year and the much-anticipated re-introduction of the historic Rosebank Distillery the following year. The unique Japanese Garden at Cowden in Clackmannanshire is set to further enhance its visitor experience with funding secured through National Lottery Heritage Fund, and others.

“It’s also good news as recent figures reveal that staycations are on the rise in Scotland with urban destinations and coastal towns most popular amongst holidaymakers. In Central Scotland – which takes in Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Stirling - along with the wider Loch Lomond and Trossachs and Argyll & the Isles area – there was a boost of around 60 per cent of Scots visitors in the first half of 2019.

“VisitScotland continues to work with businesses and local authorities across Forth Valley to ensure that tourism is a top priority. Following the VisitScotland milestone of achieving 1 million Instagram followers, we wanted to share this insight regionally, and so we recently held a social media workshop for Falkirk Council, Stirling Council and Discover Clackmannanshire aiming to grow their regional social channels. And at the Inner Forth Futures (IFF) conference held at The Engine Shed in Stirling, we shared insights into the tourism demographic and unique selling points of the area. 

“IFF has been working in partnership with four councils (Stirling, Falkirk, Clackmannanshire and Fife), community groups, statutory bodies and NGOs throughout the project area delivering heritage projects, access projects, events, engagement and interpretation to promote the area. 

“The Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 provides the area with a great opportunity to draw in more visitors and highlight some of the great activities and events to be enjoyed.

“Canal Carnival Time Machine in Falkirk is one of the events being funded by the Themed Year programme and will bring the tales of the Forth & Clyde Canal to life through art, music, and performance along four-miles of the waterway. Starting at the majestic Kelpies with a flurry of jaw dropping spectacles, aerial performances and activities, take a tour along the beautiful canal to discover magical theatrical performances at Lock 16, all accumulating in a fun filled, musical celebration at the iconic Falkirk Wheel.

“Forth Valley is an immensely diverse and robust region with tourism vitally important to the local economy. It boasts so many iconic attractions with new experiences on the horizon thanks to tourism investment by some key industry players. These should help us continue to capitalise on the wealth of opportunities in Forth Valley and maximise the impact on the visitor economy.

After all, tourism is more than just a holiday experience it is integral to sustaining communities across Scotland by generating income, creating jobs and stimulating social change. 2020 is the start of a new decade and a chance to grow Forth Valley’s tourism offering even further – and I am confident that together we are more than up to the task.