FOUR tourism businesses from Dumfries and Galloway are attending an event to help them grow by reaching more visitors through the domestic and international travel trade.
Annandale Distillery, Gretna Green, The Cairndale Hotel & Spa, and the South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA) are representing the region at VisitScotland Connect in Aberdeen this weekend.
They will have the chance to connect with over 250 buyers who plan inspirational Scotland trips for their clients from North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the UK domestic market.
Lee Medd, from Annandale Distillery, above, said: “This event is crucial for us to directly engage with the burgeoning North American and Asian markets, alongside strengthening ties with existing and potential travel trade partners across the UK and Europe.
“With over 75,000 visitors annually across our sites, we recognise the significant potential for further expansion. VisitScotland Connect facilitates face-to-face interactions with key industry professionals, enabling us to showcase the unique experiences we offer, and forge partnerships that would otherwise be difficult to establish.
“By participating in this event, we are not only promoting our exceptional whisky and destinations but also contributing to the sustainable growth of Scotland’s tourism sector.”
Matthew Wallace Jnr, director of the Cairndale Hotel, said: “VisitScotland Connect plays a vital role in helping us build meaningful relationships with international buyers and trade partners. As a business, we’ve made significant investments in recent years, transforming The Cairndale into a luxury destination spa property.
“We see the travel trade as a key route to showcasing this transformation and to engaging new markets – particularly North America and Europe, where there’s strong demand for authentic Scottish experiences rooted in history, wellness, and warm hospitality.
“Being part of Connect allows us to tell our story in person and create the kind of connections that simply aren’t possible over email. It’s a brilliant opportunity to put Dumfries and the South of Scotland firmly on the map.”
