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Scotland’s biggest tourism trade show is set to return to Edinburgh after a five-year absence in a move that could generate over £1.7 million for the Capital’s economy.
VisitScotland expo, which will see around 230 tourism businesses showcase their products to tour operators from all over the world, will come to the Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh, on April 25 and 26 next year.
The announcement comes following the hugely successful expo event in Aberdeen earlier this year.
Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland, said: “We are delighted to be bringing Scotland’s flagship business-to-business travel trade show back to Edinburgh. Expo 2011, which took place in Aberdeen in April, proved a fantastic showcase for the whole of Scotland, as buyers from the likes of the USA, Canada and Europe, as well as emerging markets such as India and Russia, sought to add Scotland to their tour itineraries.
“Every exhibitor I spoke to while in Aberdeen said that they made excellent contacts from both the international and UK markets. The value of expo is clear: the average potential value of business as a result of attending Expo as an exhibitor is £28,000, with some businesses quoting values as high as £100,000.”
Last time VisitScotland expo was held in Edinburgh, in 2007, more than 1,000 people descended on the Royal Highland Centre.
Lucy Bird, Chief Executive of Marketing Edinburgh, which will work with VisitScotland to deliver the event, said: “The announcement that Edinburgh will be hosting Scotland’s most important leisure tourism buyer event at the Royal Highland Centre is great news. The event offers the opportunity to showcase the world-class visitor experience to be found in the city region and to promote Scotland’s inspiring capital to travel industry representatives from across the globe, with the expectation of generating significant business and economic benefit to the city region. The local organising team is looking forward to working in partnership with VisitScotland and the Royal Highland Centre to deliver a spectacular event in 2012.”
Archie Glendinning, Director of the Royal Highland Centre, added: “VisitScotland expo is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Edinburgh as a world-class tourism destination.
“The Centre, which is well-known for its ability to host large events and has a significant investment underway to develop its facilities further, is delighted to be a key part of next year’s expo and looks forward to working closely with VisitScotland and Marketing Edinburgh to deliver Edinburgh’s first expo in five years and to position the city as the host for this event for many years to come.”
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
