Press release -
Businesses get on track for Borders Railway tourism boost
Tourism-related businesses in Midlothian are being offered support on how to capitalise on the opportunities which will be presented by the completion next Autumn of The Borders Railway - one of the most exciting and innovative projects the south-east of Scotland has ever seen.
The re-establishment of the 30-mile railway line from Edinburgh through Midlothian to the Scottish Borders will open up new networks and connections to those who live, work, visit and wish to invest in the region.
The Borders Railway not only represents a massive infrastructure investment in the region but also creates huge potential opportunities for tourism by enabling and encouraging many more visitors to experience the rich landscapes, heritage, culture and outdoor pursuits in the areas the railway will pass through.
VisitScotland will be working in partnership with a number of organisations involved in operating The Borders Railway to market the new travel route and promote visits to experience it and the locations along its route.
The national tourism organisation is also supporting businesses which are directly and indirectly linked to tourism (including accommodation providers, visitor attractions, restaurants and bars, and retail and travel operators) by offering information on how they can make the most of the business growth potential this exciting new railway will present on its launch and in the longer term.
On Tuesday 25 November, members of VisitScotland’s marketing team will run a special Midlothian Borders Railway Marketing Workshop on the potential the new railway offers for economic growth. The event, which will be held at the National Mining Museum Scotland, Lady Victoria Colliery, Newtongrange, Dalkeith, EH22 4QN from 2pm to 4.30pm,will enable VisitScotland to work jointly with the industry to identify opportunities and develop a strategy to maximise the benefits to the region of The Borders Railway.
Introduced by Owen Thompson, Leader of Midlothian Council, the workshop is not only being hosted for businesses in the vicinity of the new railway’s stations (Shawfair, Eskbank, Newtongrange and Gorebridge) but throughout the entire region. The workshop will highlight the wealth of diverse attractions in close proximity to the stations – including Dalkeith Estate, Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World, Kings Acre Golf Course, Mayshade Garden Centre, National Mining Museum, Newbattle Abbey, Vogrie Country Park, Crichton Castle - and in the wider surrounding areas – such as Midlothian Snowsports Centre, Pentland Hills Regional Park, Rosslyn Chapel and Roslin Glen Country Park. It will also focus on travel connections from the Borders Railway stations, such as bus routes, cycle paths and walking routes which enable and encourage visitors to travel on from the train stations and out into the region to explore it fully.
VisitScotland Regional Director Manuela Calchini said:
“We want to raise awareness of the wealth and range of visitor experiences available along the Borders Railway route and to support the local industry in identifying business development opportunities and also potential gaps in the market. Our aim is to help businesses prepare for and attract trade from visitors who will be coming through their areas thanks to the new railway.”
Midlothian Council Leader, Owen Thompson, said:“
We’re delighted to be working in partnership with VisitScotland to deliver this workshop on the tourism and economic benefits of the new Borders Railway. Midlothian has a wealth of interesting and exciting tourist attractions and the Council is delighted that the project continues to move forward to completion. It will bring more jobs and greater opportunities to the local area, along with much greater access to our visitor attractions and in turn help the Council deliver our ambitious targets for growing the local economy.”
Businesses interested in attending the Midlothian Borders Railway Marketing Workshop, should email judy.barrie@visitscotland.com
-ENDS-
For further information contact:
| Mon-Thurs Ellen Drummond Ferroni VisitScotland Regional Corporate Press Officer Tel: 0141 566 4019; Mob:07801 820757 Email: ellen.drummondferroni@visitscotland.com Thurs & Fri Sharon Makepeace, VisitScotland Regional Corporate Press Officer Tel: 07771 981 236 / Sharon.makepeace@visitscotland.com Out of hours media enquiries: 07699 766986 |
Topics
- Tourism
Categories
- corporate communications
Regions
- Scotland
Notes to Editors:
- Follow us on twitter: @visitscotnews
- VisitScotland is Scotland’s national tourism organisation. Its core purpose is to maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland.
- The organisation has three key roles:
- To market Scotland to all parts of the world to attract visitors
- To provide information – and inspiration – to visitors and potential visitors so they get the best out of a visit to Scotland
- To provide quality assurance to visitors and quality advice to the industry and partners to help the industry meet and strive to exceed customer expectations
- VisitScotland works together with tourism businesses to make tourism a success for everyone and ensure the industry continues to grow.
- The organisation employs 700 people and has offices and VisitScotland Information Centres across Scotland.
- 2014 is the year Scotland welcomes the world, when it hosts the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles and more than 800 Homecoming events throughout the country.For more information on Homecoming Scotland 2014, go to www.visitscotland.com
- The VisitScotland Information Centre network is a unique face-to-face channel engaging with around five million visitors and locals each year. Everyone who uses a VisitScotland Information Centre goes on to spend an additional £5.35, generating over £24 million for Scotland’s economy.
- According to a recent Deloitte study, tourism employs 270,000 people in Scotland in 20,000 diverse businesses. The same study calculates that the industry contributes £11 billion annually (direct and indirect impact, including day visits) and supports around 10 per cent of employment in Scotland. Almost 16 million tourists take overnight trips to Scotland.
- Where possible, a Gaelic speaker will be made available for broadcast interviews on request (Far an tèid iarraidh, agus far am bheil sin nar comas, bruidhinnidh neach le Gàidhlig aig agallamh)
- For holiday information on Scotland go to www.visitscotland.com
- For information about business tourism in Scotland go to www.conventionscotland.com
- For more information on VisitScotland’s annual review please go to www.visitscotland.org/about_us/our_focus/annual_report.aspx
