Another great newsletter from Tourism Intellegence Scotland came out yesterday which is a must read for all businesses who want to get ahead and stay competitive.

It is designed to be practical, useful and timely, with ideas and tips to provide you with a snapshot of some of the relevant issues in the tourism industry in Scotland and beyond. Find out about new trends and opportunities and the businesses reaping the benefits. In this month’s newsletter:

• The big picture – a round up of the latest stats and trends
• How to give your overseas visitors what they really want
• Improve your bottom line by using customer feedback
• What’s new on the Tourism Intelligence website

Click the image to download the latest newsletter

To gain entry on that day print the below PDF file

For visitor attractions interested in exhibiting let us know. A great initiative!

Fort george fam trip (PDF file)

Intelligence and Innovation….

Good market intelligence is key for every successful organisation who wants to stay ahead. But what are the appropriate global and local trends that you should react to? How do you hit the sweet-spot where innovation meets the visitor needs?

Now in its 8th year, Tourism Innovation Day has established itself as the leading innovation event for the Scottish tourism sector. TID provides insight on trends, intelligence, innovation and the visitor experience, drawing on how the best in Scotland are meeting the business challenge of growth.

Book now for this exciting and inspirational event that brings you a great range of outstanding speakers: specialists on trends and insights, successful entrepreneurs who are happy to share their stories, tricks and tips. Ask how they overcame the same difficulties that you face. Hear from a great speaker on innovation, with new techniques for developing front-end products and services. Additionally, there will be great networking opportunities throughout the packed and varied day. More info: http://www.tourisminnovationday.com/

When: Thursday 20th May 2010, 10am – 4.15pm
Where: John McIntyre Conference Centre, Edinburgh AND Green House, Inverness.

**Very latest news: Event is going ahead, drive with care, roads are ok-ish****

*** Event now fully booked…….

*** For people who can’t make it, the event will be recorded and available for download!

Moray Tourism Development are delighted to invite you to their launch event, which will take place on Wednesday 24 February at the Robbie Dhu Centre, Glenfiddich Distillery, Dufftown from 10:30am – 4:00pm. (Registration and tea and coffee from 10:00am)

Your support is needed to help put Moray firmly on the international tourism map. As well as announcing initial plans for developing and promoting Moray as an internationally renowned, tourist destination, a major focus of the day will be hearing from you about what you would like the new organisation to focus on.

Success will rely on everyone coming together to work in partnership This is your chance to have your say and get involved in the future development of tourism in Moray.

The day will also provide a valuable opportunity to network with other related businesses. There will also be a literature swap, where you can bring along supplies of your brochures to exchange with others.

The event is free of charge and will include a buffet lunch featuring local produce. A programme for the day is available here.

Early registration is recommended as places are limited. ***There is now a waiting list (5/2)***

We look forward to seeing you on the day and exploring how together we can make a real difference.

If you would like any further information please e mail us at info@moray-tourism.info. If you’ve already registered, confirmations will be send out a week before the event takes place.

or call us on 01309 678100 or 01343 551117.

Moray Tourism Executive
Horizon Scotland
The Enterprise Park
Forres IV36 2AB
www.moray-tourism.info

t: Marion Walker – 01343 551117 or Rene Looper 01309 678100

e: info@moray-tourism.info

Press release

Winter opening times are; Monday to Saturday 09.30 to 4.30 pm and Sunday noon to 4.30pm.

Great news for Moray Tourism and we hope more will follow. If your attraction/activity is open over the winter weekends, let us know so we can create a list with businesses open over the winter months.

Follow Glenfiddich on Facebook.

Last night we attended the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards at the Drumossie, Inverness where the best in Tourism was celebrated and it was great to see a few Moray Businesses being short-listed for the prestigious Tourism Awards.

First Minister Rt Hon Alex Salmond opened the proceedings with a passionate speech on the importance of excellence in Tourism and why it’s important to celebrate and recognise businesses that make a difference to the customer experience.

• The Knockomie Hotel, Forres picked up the award for Customer Care
• The Crown Estate, received the Green Award
• MacKenzie and Cruickshank, Forres were runners up in the Marketing Initiative category
• Ambassador of the Year was awarded to Gavin Ellis, of the Knockomie Hotel, Forres!

Well done to all who’ve been short-listed and the award winners! The evening was a great success and was a real celebration of excellence! The Red Hot Chilli Pipers were fantastic and so was the Bruce MacGregor band afterwards.

Next year we like to have more Moray Businesses going up for an award and we will be liaising with Gavin Ellis and others to see how we can help businesses with their award application. Let us know if you would be interested in this.

There are a number of PR opportunities available for businesses this month. If you are running any special events, stunts or offers in relation to them please contact the VisitScotland PR team.

The events currently being asked for are:

• Hogmanay
• Christmas Shopping / January sales
• Burns Night

If you are running any of the following our consumer PR team would love to hear about it:

• a special event for Hogmanay 2009
• a special event, stunt or offer to encourage Christmas shoppers (or are planning anything around January sales)
• or a special event, menu or offer for Burns Night 2010.

The team can then use the relevant information to build up a factsheet for journalists and respond to press enquiries.

Please email minty.woolgar@visitscotland.com by 30 November 2009 with a brief description, including a website to find more information about it.

On Wednesday the 2nd of December the STF holds an open meeting at Eden Court, Inverness with some interesting speakers on entrepreneurship, creativity, innovation and community sense .

See more info on the STF web site or download the flyer here. Book your spaces direct at the STF. A great opportunity to network and connect with like minded tourism operators. Hope to see you there!