Press release -
Smooth operators
Fancy kicking back with a ‘Kelpies Kool’? Sipping a Callendar House Sunrise? Or saying ‘Bottoms Up’ to a Bo’ness Railway Berry Burst?
National and international tour operators attending next week’s VisitScotland expo are being encouraged to get on their bikes to Falkirk with the help of a unique pedal-a-smoothie machine.
The smoothie machines are stationary bikes fitted with special blenders that spin as you pedal, mixing up delicious fruit smoothies.
Organised by Falkirk Council for expo, Scotland’s biggest travel trade show, it is hoped this unique and unusual exhibit will inspire and excite influential buyers and tour operators from across the world to find out more about Falkirk’s many attractions, cycle networks and tourism experiences.
Smoothies that expo-goers can pedal into a blend include:
- Kelpies Kool - Blueberry, banana, coconut flakes, apple juice
- Callendar House Sunrise - Strawberry, banana, apple juice (elderberry cordial)
- Falkirk Wheel Energiser - mixed summer berries, wheatgrass powder, chia seed, banana, apple juice
- Bo’ness Railway Berry Burst - mixed summer berry, lemon juice, lime juice, apple juice
- The Loop - Strawberry, pineapple, chia seed, lime juice apple juice
More than £24 million worth of business is likely to be conducted over the two days of VisitScotland expo, which takes place at Aberdeen’s AECC on 22-23 April 2015.
Scotland will be promoted by over 230 businesses from across the country with a Scottish tourism product to highlight. Of the 230, at least 32 businesses from across Scotland will be exhibiting for the very first time.
Last year’s event in Glasgow saw over 6,700 appointments, and a recent study conducted in 2012 found that hosting expo could be worth around £1.7 million for the local economy. It is hoped that hosting this year’s expo in the Granite City will provide the same economic boost.
Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland said:
“It’s great to see the innovative and exciting ways businesses are hoping to inspire tour operators from across the world at this, our flagship travel trade event. The smoothie bike is an excellent idea and I can’t wait to dry a Kelpies Kool or a Falkirk Wheel Energiser!
“VisitScotland expo is an invaluable opportunity for Scottish businesses to meet face to face with tour operators from across the globe, bringing the chance to meet new contacts, negotiate new deals and learn new ways of doing business. With only one week to go now until this year’s event, this VisitScotland expo, in the inspiring city of Aberdeen is shaping up to be one of the best ones yet!”
Pete Reid, VisitFalkirk Manager, Growth & Investment Unit said:
“We wanted to have a little fun on our stand by encouraging the event attendees to make their own Falkirk themed smoothies. In previous years we have handed out cupcakes and this year it seemed fitting with it being Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink and with the opening of the John Muir Trail, to promote the many National Cycle Network routes and our leading attractions.
“In the Falkirk area there are single track woodland trails, to easier canal side paths, there are cycle routes to suit all abilities and whether you’re an experienced mountain biker, or a family looking for an easy day out with your bikes, there are routes to suit everyone. To plan your day out in Falkirk check out our website visitfalkirk.com.”
For more information about VisitScotland expo, visit www.visitscotlandexpo.com
ENDS
Topics
- Tourism
Categories
- visitscotland expo
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.
- According to a recent Deloitte study, the tourism economy supports 270,000 jobs in Scotland in 20,000 diverse businesses. The same study calculates that the tourism economy 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.
- For VisitScotland’s press releases go to http://www.visitscotland.org/media_centre.aspx, tourism statistics and frequently asked questions go to http://www.visitscotland.org/
- 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
Year of Food and Drink 2015
- 2015 is the Year of Food and Drink, a celebration of Scotland’s natural larder and the role that food and drink plays in shaping our economic success.
- Scotland generates over £2.5m per day through food and drink tourism.
- A series of themed months will create an appetite for key areas of Scotland’s food and drink industries – from seafood and whisky to berries and high-quality meat
- For more information, visit www.visitscotland.com/tastescotland
