Tourism companies flock to first event hosted by new organisation, Highland Tourism
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The first online talk from new north business group Highland Tourism has already been greeted with an overwhelming response, according to its organisers.
The free event, which takes place next Tuesday, March 23, will provide platform for discussion of the pandemic's impact on the region’s tourism and will feature a talk by destination specialist and author, Professor Terry Stevens, the founder of international tourism consultancy Stevens & Associates.
Hundreds of individuals have now registered. making it probably one of the largest gatherings of tourism businesses in the region since the pandemic began.
Highland Tourism co-founder Yvonne Crook said: “We appreciate the fantastic response we’ve had to this, the first of our tourism talks, with Professor Terry Stevens. Together we have been analysing Highland tourism statistics and we are looking forward to sharing the results of that and considering what the future could hold for a united tourism industry.
"These really are unprecedented times and with a real collaborative effort we can put ourselves in a position to bounce back from the pandemic by taking our destiny into our own hands.”
The Highland tourism sector is worth an estimated £541 million and employs 19,000 people. The talk will look at how the industry in the region can face the challenges and opportunities of the years ahead.
Professor Stevens has worked with private companies and public bodies round the globe, including the UN World Tourism Organisation, UNESCO, the World Bank and Coca Cola.
He said: “Tourism has changed forever. The next 10 to 15 years will be a time of unprecedented experimentation where old formulas no longer hold true.
“The Highlands has an outstanding natural environment with a very rich cultural heritage. Putting that together with the rich tapestry of experiences the Highlands has to offer, the tourism product is well suited to tomorrow’s visitor. At present, the business of tourism in the Highlands is fragmented and not conducive to managing the recovery process required following the pandemic. During the presentation we will explore the opportunities that taking a conscious travel approach can bring to the Highlands. The Highland tourism industry, uniting with a clear message based around conscious travel, will reap great rewards for visitors, businesses, communities, the environment and future generations.”
The talk will take place at 11.30am on March 23 and is free to attend. Those interested can register at www.eventbrite.co.uk
