Press release -
Free business seminar to explore ‘monster marketing’
A free seminar in Inverness next month will explore how one of the region’s most famous residents can help to attract even more visitors to the area.
Entitled ‘Monster Marketing’, the event will look at the importance of the Loch Ness Monster to the region’s tourism industry and consider what more can be done to help visitors see what else the area has to offer.
Hosted by the University of the Highlands and Islands Management School and VisitScotland, the seminar will feature two expert speakers. Graeme Ambrose of the Inverness and Loch Ness Tourism Business Improvement District will talk about marketing more than just the legend of Nessie and discuss the drive to promote all the others things visitors can see and do in the area too.
Willie Cameron, director of Loch Ness Marketing and a former Highlands and Islands Tourism Ambassador of the Year, will talk about Nessie and the impact she has had on the region.
He will also look at wider business opportunities in the area, such as film location work, and give an insider’s account of how celebrities like Charlie Sheen have called on him to help them hunt for the monster.
Gary I Campbell, the university’s key account director, will host the seminar. He said: “We are looking forward to hosting what promises to be a fascinating business seminar. We will be exploring the theme that Loch Ness and the surrounding area mean more than just a monster. We will discuss that, while the Loch Ness Monster might be seen as the main attraction for visiting the area, it is important to help tourists see what else is on offer.”
Marion Walker, VisitScotland growth fund manager, said: “We are delighted to be hosting this discussion in partnership with the university as part of our national programme of industry engagement. This discussion should give the audience a great opportunity to hear about the future plans for the destination’s development.”
The monster marketing seminar will be held at the University of the Highlands and Islands Executive Office, Inverness, from 12:30pm to 2pm on Friday 16 May. People are also welcome to attend by video conference.
Email fiona.ryan@uhi.ac.uk to book your free place.
ENDS Contact Susan Szymborski University of the Highlands and Islands Office: 01463 279222 Email:susan.szymborski@uhi.ac.uk
The University of the Highlands and Islands is a partnership of thirteen further and higher education colleges, specialist colleges and research institutions, distributed throughout the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.www.uhi.ac.uk .
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.
- 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
- For more information on VisitScotland’s annual review please go to www.visitscotland.org/about_us/our_focus/annual_report.aspx
