VisitScotland will link companies from Dumfries and Galloway with global tour operators and travel agents at their Scotland Reconnect 2021, from April 27-29.
It will enable them to connect with buyers in important international markets, to attract visitors and help rebuild the country’s tourism industry following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Taking part from this region will be Gretna Green Ltd, Dark Sky Spirits Ltd, Cairndale Hotel and Leisure Club, Annandale Whisky Distillery, Knockinaam Lodge, Kitchen Coos and Ewes, Solway Tours and Solwayconnections Guided Tours.
It will be a new experience for Fiona Stoddart, of Solwayconnections Guided Tours, who said: “I am really looking forward to my digital meetings with different international tour operators at Scotland Reconnect. For my small and relatively new tour guiding business, this is a fantastic opportunity for me to network and talk with key people in the travel trade in different parts of the world. I’m very hopeful that the event will allow me to develop some good business relationships and to sell more of my south of Scotland guided day tours to international clients”
The countries taking part will include the USA, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Australia, Brazil and the Middle East, as well as representatives for the Japanese and Chinese markets.
Paula Ward, VisitScotland regional leadership director, pictured above, said: “VisitScotland supports members of the tourism industry in Dumfries and Galloway in their aspirations to internationalise and to attract more business and income from international markets as travel restrictions are eased in 2021.
“The last 12 months have been extremely challenging for tourism businesses but we had a good regional turnout to the inaugural event in November and feedback was very positive.
“Demand is building and Dumfries and Galloway tourism businesses are ready to offer a warm welcome back to visitors when the time is right.”
