Tourism reconnects with the world

VisitScotland is linking tourism businesses from the Outer Hebrides with tour operators and travel agents from around the world, through an innovative virtual event.

More than 280 Scottish businesses are virtually exhibiting at the national tourism organisation’s Scotland Reconnect 2021, from April 27-29, aiming to connect and do business with around 330 tour operators and travel agents from around the world.

The online travel trade workshop event exclusively promotes Scotland and enables Scottish businesses to connect with buyers in important international markets, to attract visitors and help rebuild the country’s tourism industry following the Covid-19 pandemic.

In 2019, international visitors made 3.5 million overnight stays in Scotland, spending £2.5 billion, which is 43% of the total overnight spend.[i] Inbound passenger numbers to the UK in July 2020 were 89% fewer at 1.3 million passenger arrivals, down from 11.1 million arrivals in July 2019.[ii]

Tourism businesses, Cala Hotels and Hebridean Adventures, have signed up to SR2021 and will showcase their tourism offering to the world.Stornoway-based specialist whale, dolphin and wildlife-watching cruise operator Hebridean Adventures recently announced they are teaming up with the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) as an official supporting Charity Partner from this season onwards. It will support the conservation work of HWDT further by way of a new annual fundraising cruise (already sold out for July 2021 but booking now for 2022).

The inaugural Scotland Reconnect event last November involved 5,000 meetings and this year, buyers from 26 countries, including the USA, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Holland, Scandinavia, Australia, Brazil and the Middle East are attending, as well as London-based inbound operators representing the Japanese and Chinese markets.

Delegates will take part in 1-2-1 meetings, as well as round table discussions on the latest issues affecting world travel and tourism. There will be a chance to hear about new tourism product offerings, trends like agritourism and adventure tourism and VisitScotland’s drive towards responsible tourism. 

VisitScotland’s Head of Engagement, Denise Hill, will also meet in conversation with Tom Jenkins, the CEO of the European Tour Operators Association; and Joss Croft, CEO of trade association UKinbound, to discuss global travel in the future. And there will be a look ahead to The Year of Scotland’s Stories in 2022, a showcase of the country’s rich literature, film, oral traditions, myths and legends.

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

Events including VisitScotland’s annual Expo travel trade showcase and programmes of business development missions have long been critical platforms for facilitating international connections, but rendered impossible by Covid-19 restrictions, new digital platforms like Reconnect have been developed. 

In addition to facilitating some 5,000 business meetings, there will be virtual experiences demonstrating what Scotland can offer buyers’ clients, including Deanston Distillery, The Real Mary King’s Close, Kitchen Coos & Ewes and Once Upon a Whisky / Glasgow Distillery. 

“The last 12 months have been extremely challenging for everyone, but we had a good regional turnout to the inaugural event in November and feedback was very positive. 

“Demand is building around the world and the interest in the Outer Hebrides is very strong. Tourism businesses in the Outer Hebrides are ready to offer a warm welcome back to our international visitors when the time is right.

“Scottish tourism punches above its weight on the world stage and we need to leverage this reputation to bring new investment, new events, new airlines and new visitors once visitors can travel freely in 2021/22 again. 

“Until Expo can return safely, Scotland Reconnect is a brilliant way to keep Scotland at the forefront of people’s minds.” 

“Continuing on with this type of event even when we cannot meet face to face is so important for us as a business. 

“Having the chance to connect with the travel trade from the UK and overseas allows us to build new partnerships which will help us in filling our cruises for the seasons ahead, and bring more visitors to the Outer Hebrides where the entire economy can benefit.

“We have all struggled after losing practically the entire 2020 season and with the late start to 2021. However, being able to look ahead to secure bookings in 2022 and beyond is vital in ensuring our businesses can finally recover and flourish once again. 

“We have some of the best whale and dolphin watching opportunities in Europe right on our doorstep in Stornoway and we can’t wait to showcase this to tour operators from around the world.”

“This virtual event provides us with an ideal opportunity to do both. We are experiencing strong interest from buyers attending this year’s event and we are very much looking forward to next week’s discussions.”

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