Press release -
Grow for it
A new £100,000 fund to promote Scotland as a land of food and drink has been launched by the national tourism organisation.
VisitScotland is now inviting applications from tourism groups throughout Scotland to apply for a Year of Food and Drink Growth Fund grant of up to £20,000.
Groups of three or more tourism businesses have until Thursday 28 August to apply for a grant during the first round of funding. These grants can be used to support marketing campaigns during the 2015 Year of Food and Drink. There will be a second round of funding in February 2015.
The Year of Food and Drink Growth Fund is in addition to the existing VisitScotland Growth Fund, which between 2011 and 2013 awarded over £1 million in match-funding to national, regional and sectoral tourism groups resulting in £2.3m being invested in marketing campaigns, involving more than 2,000 tourism businesses across Scotland.
The new Growth Fund was launched at Whitmuir the Organic Place, near West Linton in Peeblesshire. A four-star VisitScotland Tourist Shop, Whitmuir is part of Farm Stay Scotland, a previous Growth Fund recipient.
The Year of Food and Drink officially begins on 1 January 2015 and aims to help Scotland celebrate the role that food and drink plays in shaping economic success and to showcase Scotland’s outstanding natural larder.
Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, said: “The food and drink industry is worth £13 billion to Scotland’s economy so we really cannot underestimate the importance of supporting groups who are demonstrating enthusiasm and innovation in this area.
“The Year of Food and Drink Growth Fund will do exactly that, allowing us to build partnerships across Scotland with those on the frontline to ensure visitors and locals alike get to experience the best of Scotland’s food and drink. I encourage groups to get online and apply for the fund to help them make the most of 2015, the Year of Food and Drink.”
Tourism Minister Fergus Ewing said: “The 2015 Year of Food and Drink will provide Scotland with an opportunity to showcase the very best of our food and drink sector, which enjoys an enviable international reputation.
“The Year of Food and Drink Growth Fund is yet another element of our drive to boost Scotland’s key tourism, events, and food and drink sectors in 2015. I would encourage businesses across the country to make the most of the opportunities available to them, and help us enhance our global reputation as a land which produces the finest quality food and drink.”
The Year of Food and Drink Growth Fund will support groups with up to 50 per cent of approved total marketing costs, from a minimum award of £2,500 up to a maximum award of £20,000.
Funding will be awarded to marketing campaigns that promote the use of quality Scottish produce and aim to increase visitor satisfaction with the Scottish food and drink offering. Applications to the fund should be aligned with the Tourism 2020 Strategy, meet the aims and objectives of the Year of Food and Drink 2015 and can demonstrate fresh ideas and approaches.
Groups who wish to apply can do so online by visiting www.visitscotland.org
For more information, contact Tom Maxwell: tom.maxwell@visitscotland.com; 0131 472 2409
Topics
- Tourism
Categories
- corporate communications
- growth fund
- year of food and drink
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
