Countdown to reconnect

Several hundred Scottish tourism businesses will have the chance to connect with and do business with tour operators and travel agents from around the globe.

VisitScotland’s Scotland Reconnect 2021 digital trade workshop event opens for registrations on Monday 8th March.

The National Tourism Organisation anticipates around 7,500 business meetings over the three days, 27-29 April.

Given ongoing constraints on travel, VisitScotland will deliver the Scotland Reconnect 2021 digital event in place of the VisitScotland Expo live workshop event which would normally have been an annual feature of the business development calendar for tourism in Scotland.

Recognising the need for Scotland’s tourism businesses to maintain contact throughout Covid-time with travel intermediaries around the globe, VisitScotland has organised the Scotland Reconnect 2021 event, following a highly successful inaugural digital event last November.

Last year’s event saw 264 buyers from 23 countries meet with 240 Scottish tourism businesses, operators and destination organisations.

Tourism industry delegates will get the chance to engage with travel trade representing key overseas markets for Scotland during 1-2-1 meetings, as well as round table discussions on the latest issues affecting world travel and tourism.

Informative and entertaining virtual experiences will showcase a flavour of what Scotland has to offer visitors from around the world.

As collaboration and cross-selling are key to developing the ideal tourism offering, there will be also be an exclusive networking session for Scottish businesses on the day before the event gets underway, to allow businesses to connect with each other in an informal 1-on-1 basis.

However businesses must meet the criteria and be trade ready for 2021-2022.

“It is vital we continue to engage with our international partners on a ‘dream now, travel later’ basis so that, should the situation allow, we can move quickly to take advantage of any opportunities which may arise.

“We know from our intelligence that demand for Scotland as a destination remains as strong as ever with our history, heritage and outdoor experiences among the best in the world.

“We want everyone in our industry that is trade ready to help meet that demand when it is safe for international visitors to return.”

For further information of VisitScotland’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, go to https://www.visitscotland.org/supporting-your-business/advice/coronavirus