Moray Tourism Destination Development.

A few weeks ago we’ve sent out a Speyside and Moray Coast survey and thanks to all who took the time to give us very valuable information. We’ve uploaded the results to the downloads section of this blog where you can view and download it.

Some highlights:

• Out of 150 accommodation providers 41 (27%) took part in the survey
• Only 2(!) hotels out of 34 took part in the survey (will be addressed)
• 25 out of 72 B&B’s took part in the survey
• 51% reported a better year then last year whilst 22% experienced the same level of business then last year
• Whisky, Walking, Castles and Coast came out as main attraction, followed closely by Wildlife and Golf
• Moray and Speyside most used in promoting the area
• 26 businesses (65%) have no or a paper database

On the question of do you need help with achieving your goals we got some interesting replies:

• need as much up-to date, preferably, electronic info on Moray as possible. – Greater Speyside, Spotlight on Moray
• Help with marketing would be appreciated.
• A list of events in Moray would be a great help
• Marketing of Business (mentioned a few times)
• How to be even more present on the web.
• more work advertising Moray independantly from either Grampian or Highlands, Moray is a holiday destination in its own right.
• finding contractor to do work, no one gets back with quotes!!

Cullen has been in the news a lot over the last few weeks mainly in connection with the flood damage of the Cullen bridge and on the closure of the Cullen – Fochabers road which we reported earlier is open again. Tonight we noticed Cullen on the STV news where it was mentioned that the negativity created a positive as the community pulled together and organised a Christmas shopping and reindeer event last night.

It was a great success and came about when local people started to pull together and took action. Well done Cullen!

Stuart Watts, Manager of Glenfiddich has decided to open the doors of the Glenfiddich Distillery each weekend over the winter period.This is a departure from the usual reduction of seven to five days for the winter period, ( Mid October to Mid March )the decision will delight local businesses and tourists wishing to see the Distillery during winter weekend breaks.

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.

Elgin businesses have voted “YES” in the proposed establishment of a Business Improvement District (BID) in the town with the aim of boosting the local economy. The next step forward in this resounding vote of confidence which will signal an exciting future for Elgin is the recruitment of a Manager. See the Elgin BID web site for more info on this exciting job opportunity.

Source: Press and Journal

A GROUP of Moray artists were basking in the glow of global exposure last night with the launch of their very first website.

The five Findhorn-based artists behind a project called Artists’ Trail in the Park secured £11,000 of VisitScotland funding to promote their work online. Two watercolour painters, a potter, a weaver, and a photographer have come together to create the trail, opening their studios at the town’s park for craft demonstrations and sales throughout the year.

Resident potter Belia Biesheuve said they hoped the website would give the trail national and international presence and stimulate the Findhorn community.

She said: “VisitScotland considered us as a project worthy of support because of our creative and artistic endeavours and also because we bring tourists to the area.

“It is a really good site and we’re really pleased with it.”

For more information visit www.artists-trail.com

From STV news:

Forres-based Murdoch Brothers Butchers beat off strong competition from a record entry of 85 butchers and bakers – 84 of them from Scotland.

The award is the realisation of a long-held ambition for the company, who have come agonisingly close to scooping the award in the past.

Now under the third generation of family management of brothers Graham and Ronnie, the company have supplied quality meat products from locally sourced livestock since 1916.

The company received the award at a special lunch at Carnegie College, Dunfermline on Wednesday. More…

News from Cullen Voluntary Tourism Initiative:

To celebrate the re-opening of the road at Cullen viaduct, the businesses of Cullen are holding a special late night shopping event on Wednesday 9 December, when the town will receive a very special visitor : Santa complete with sleigh and SIX reindeer !

The sleigh will be touring the streets of Cullen and will also be in the square, between 5-8pm while the shops are open.

This festive evening will culminate with the grand draw of a prize raffle which can be entered at any time from today – simply make a purchase of £10.00 or more at participating shops, hotels, bars and restaurants in Cullen and receive your raffle ticket to be in with the chance of winning over 20 fantastic prizes which have been kindly donated by local businesses and can be seen in the window of the Cut Hut hairdressers at the top of Seafield Street.

There will also be a fantastic Christmas carol treasure hunt, with clues being displayed in shop windows.

Please click link here to access Moray’s Tourism Development survey.

Thank you for your help!

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.

See below’s advert which appeared in the Northern Scot, the 13th of November.

If you feel you could be the right candidate for the position and you like to work together with other passionate Tourism board members send an email to interim Chair Jim Royan