The country’s biggest travel trade show is set to be worth more than £630,000 to the Scottish economy.
VisitScotland expo 2016, which will welcome a large number of international buyers to Edinburgh this month, is expected to see a 40% jump in its economic impact compared to last year’s event.
More than 420 tourism operators from across the globe, including some of the world’s fastest-growing airlines, will be joined by 190 UK buyers at the Royal Highland Centre in just over a week’s time (20-21 April).
Buyers will meet with more than 275 Scottish tourism businesses, showcasing the very best of what Scotland has to offer, including food and drink, accommodation, entertainment, culture, scenery and attractions.
The two-day event is expected to have a direct net economic impact of over £634k on the Scottish economy.
Last year’s expo, held in Aberdeen, saw an estimated £24 million worth of business activity conducted over the course of the event, a figure expected to rise this year due to increase in buyers and exhibitors.
This year will also see more airlines than ever before touch down at expo as Scotland continues to expand its international flight network, which has seen a 78% increase over the last decade.
As the premier trade event for building inbound tourism to Scotland, major airlines including Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Delta Airlines, Air Canada Rouge and Loganair are working with VisitScotland to exhibit and to host their top sales agent at the two day exhibition.
In 2015/16 VisitScotland has been working with more than 20 airlines to support the development of new and expanded air services into Scotland.
Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, said: “VisitScotland expo is an invaluable opportunity for Scottish businesses to meet face to face with tour operators from across the globe, bringing the opportunity to make new contacts, negotiate new deals and learn new ways of doing business.
“It’s fantastic to see the large numbers of international and UK buyers heading to expo this year. It’s particularly pleasing to see a number of major airlines and other transport providers recognising the event as a great place to do business with Scotland.
“As the country’s biggest travel trade event, this is the chance to see the whole of Scotland under one roof and with just over a week to go, the 37th year of expo is shaping up to be our biggest and best yet.”
John Donnelly, Chief Executive, Marketing Edinburgh said: “As the host city of VisitScotland Expo 2016, Marketing Edinburgh is proud to be official sponsor of this flagship tourism event. Having recently been voted the fourth most beautiful city in the world by Rough Guide readers and best UK destination outside London in the 2016 Trip Advisor Traveller’s Choice Awards, Edinburgh is globally recognised as one of Scotland’s most iconic and appealing destinations.
“Attracting 40% of all overseas visitors, there is a huge opportunity to position Edinburgh as one of the strongest attack brands in driving new visitors to the country. As the gateway to Scotland, raising the city’s international profile brings a wider benefit to the tourism offering in all Scottish regions.”
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
