Press release -
Scotland has real Becks appeal
VisitScotland says global football icon David Beckham’s appearance in a new television commercial is great news for tourism in the Highlands.
In the new advert for HAIG CLUB Single Grain Scotch Whisky, the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and England star is seen riding a motorbike in Glen Affric near Inverness, before toasting his Highland adventure with friends at Glen Affric Lodge. Parts of the advert were also filmed on the Isle of Skye.
Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland, said: “He may be advertising a single grain whisky, but David Beckham plus stunning Highland scenery adds up to a winning blend for Scottish tourism. A recent study has shown that 40 per cent of potential visitors to Britain are ‘very likely’ to come here after seeing it on film or on television, so the sight of one of the most famous stars in the world enjoying a trip to the Highlands could see more people flocking to enjoy a holiday in this beautiful region.”
David Beckham described the Highlands as “ridiculously beautiful” and said Glen Affric and the surrounding areas of Inverness-shire was “one of the most beautiful places I have ever been”.
He added: “I have spent quite a lot of time in Scotland but never been to this part of it, so I was excited about this.”
ENDS
For further information contact:
|
Tom Maxwell Corporate Press Officer Tel: 0131 472 2409 Out of hours media enquiries: 07699 766986 |
Topics
- Tourism
Categories
- corporate communications
- film tourism
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
