Catering Scotland

A new group tasked with facilitating growth in Scotland’s tourism sector has launched this week.

Chaired by Glasgow Science Centre’s Head of Events, Judy Rae, Business Tourism for Scotland (BTfS) is tasked with delivering the business-tourism strand of Scotland’s tourism strategy.

Aiming to contribute to the Scottish Government’s £1bn growth target for the overnight-visitor economy, the new group represents a combined effort to support business tourism in Scotland, according to the sector’s umbrella body, the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA).

Ms Rae (pictured far right with VisitAberdeen’s Steve Harris and Stirling Court Hotel’s Karene Aitchison), said: ‘Demand for business events in Scotland has never been stronger, and there has been significant investment in major facilities in Scotland’s cities in recent years.

‘New direct air routes and the success of the major events showcased Scotland’s ability to deliver on the global stage.’

Fergus Ewing MSP, Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism, added: ‘Business tourism brings high spending visitors to Scotland.

‘Their expenditure has significant downstream potential which may come in the form of inward investment, new orders for Scottish companies, or a repeat visit with the family.

‘I am therefore delighted to support the tourism industry and their partners in the launch of BTfS.

With 15 members representing all corners of Scotland and its industries, including hotels, venues, universities, PCOs, DMCs and city convention bureaux – and with funding provided by Scottish Enterprise – BTfS will focus on three principal projects:

• To build a better understanding of the scale and nature of the industry and demonstrating its economic contribution
• To develop communications platforms to enable industry to intelligence, useful tools and be inspired by case studies to learn from their peers
• To capture untapped opportunities

 www.businesstourismforscotland.com