Press release -
UKinbound heading to Aviemore
At VisitScotland expo 2015, UKinbound (ukinbound.org) proudly announced that Scotland will play host - for the first time in over a decade - to next year’s Annual Convention from 10-12 February 2016 at Macdonald Aviemore Resort, one of the trade association’s Platinum Corporate partners.
As part of UKinbound’s ongoing pledge to the Scottish inbound tourism industry, which was first cemented in July 2014 with the opening of a permanent office in Glasgow, the trade association is committed to strengthening relationships with Scottish members and key stakeholders, encouraging business development and networking opportunities.
Consequently, UKinbound has handpicked this four-star luxurious hotel in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands.
Following on from the success of this year’s annual convention held in Leicester, Macdonald Aviemore Resort will welcome more than 250 UKinbound members for two days of thought-provoking debates, plenary sessions with key note speakers, networking opportunities including a major B2B workshop and rounded off with a black-tie Gala Dinner, at which the Association’s annual Awards for Excellence will be announced.
UKinbound’s chief executive officer, Deirdre Wells OBE, said: "We are delighted to announce Macdonald Aviemore Resort as the host for our Annual Convention next year. Macdonald are one of our platinum partners and have an excellent track record in outstanding customer service and we are confident that the event will be a huge success.
"So far, it has been a year of significant development for us in Scotland, as we deepen our relationship with and support for the Scottish tourism industry. Scotland has an exceptional offer for the inbound visitor and we look forward to working with the industry to grow its share of this valuable market."
Commenting on the partnership, Macdonald Aviemore Resort’s Director of Sales, Jess Atkinson, said: "The team at Macdonald Aviemore Resort is thrilled to have been chosen as host destination for the UKinbound convention in 2016. The news comes after the successful completion of a £5 million investment programme, including the addition of two new four-star hotels to our stunning resort in Aviemore.
"We are all extremely excited to be giving the delegation of 250 guests a warm welcome, showing them some true Highland hospitality and giving these tourism ambassadors a taste of Scotland at its best. Whether it's scenery, heritage or food and drink, we believe the Scottish Highlands are the ultimate destination experience."
The Scottish Government supported this bid through the National Conference Bid Fund, managed by VisitScotland, whereby they commit to match-fund contributions from the bid partners. VisitScotland estimates this fund delivers a gross return of around 100 to 1, resulting in £100 gross spend for every £1 from the fund.
Fergus Ewing, Scotland's Tourism Minister, said: “We are delighted that UKinbound has chosen Scotland for its prestigious annual gathering in 2016. They have recognised that Macdonald Aviemore Resort and its partners will deliver a magnificent and successful conference in the heart of Cairngorm National Park, and I am very pleased that we have been able to support this bid.
“VisitScotland will work closely with all partners to ensure that UKinbound’s delegates are given every assistance to make the most of their visit to Aviemore and our country. Naturally, we hope many will choose to extend their stay to experience the rich history and culture that can be found throughout Scotland.”
Topics
- Tourism
Categories
- corporate communications
- business events
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
