Home   News   Article

Venture North online event will give a snapshot of Caithness and Sutherland visitor numbers


By Alan Hendry

Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!
Ailsa Neilson, business support and skills development coordinator for Venture North.
Ailsa Neilson, business support and skills development coordinator for Venture North.

An online event next week will give tourism and hospitality business leaders in the far north a snapshot of visitor numbers over the summer 2022 season.

The free Talking Tourism session is being led by Venture North, the destination management organisation for Caithness and Sutherland.

Philip Waite, outdoor access and long-distance route manager, and Highland Council access rangers from across the far north will be giving their insights during the one-hour event on Friday, October 7, starting at noon.

There will also be a question-and-answer session and a discussion in which those attending can offer their own thoughts.

The ongoing Talking Tourism initiative is being run for tourism and hospitality businesses in Caithness and Sutherland, local community organisations, development trusts and tourism stakeholders.

Ailsa Neilson, business support and skills development coordinator for Venture North, said: “As the busy summer season begins to wind down, we’re really pleased to be teaming up with the Highland Council access rangers to reveal the latest visitor management insights for Caithness and Sutherland.

“This is the latest in a series of online Talking Tourism events that Venture North has staged over the last year to help inform and support tourism businesses and communities across the region. We hope to welcome some new faces and regular attendees to our free online event on October 7.

“As part of our ongoing aim to improve visitor management across the region, Venture North will also be sharing its own work in this area as well as some of our own key responsible tourism messages.”

Aurora in Caithness – one of the images promoting Venture North's autumn and winter campaign. Picture: Venture North
Aurora in Caithness – one of the images promoting Venture North's autumn and winter campaign. Picture: Venture North

Earlier this year, Venture North staged a pilot series of virtual Talking Tourism events and in-person Destination Update sessions for tourism businesses and communities. Themes included "Destination recovery plans", "What does net-zero and sustainable tourism look like for us?" and "How can we encourage people to pursue careers in tourism and hospitality?".

Guest participants and speakers included representatives from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the University of Highlands and Islands, North West Highlands Geopark, VisitScotland, Developing the Young Workforce, North Highlands and Islands Climate Hub and Highland Coast Hotels.

Venture North says there has been a positive response to its online events.

The organisation is leading the development and delivery of the Tourism Destination Recovery Strategy (2021-23). Core funding support is provided by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd and other partners.

To register for the event on October 7, go to the Eventbrite website or email ailsa@venture-north.co.uk

A winter view of the Kylesku Bridge on the North Coast 500 tourist route. Picture: Venture North
A winter view of the Kylesku Bridge on the North Coast 500 tourist route. Picture: Venture North
Surfing with North Coast Watersports, one of the activities that make the far north a year-round destination. Picture: Venture North
Surfing with North Coast Watersports, one of the activities that make the far north a year-round destination. Picture: Venture North
A winter view of Ardvreck Castle in Sutherland, a popular spot for NC500 visitors. Picture: Venture North
A winter view of Ardvreck Castle in Sutherland, a popular spot for NC500 visitors. Picture: Venture North
Visitors to the far north can book a tour of Dunnet Bay Distillers, home of Rock Rose gin. Picture: Venture North
Visitors to the far north can book a tour of Dunnet Bay Distillers, home of Rock Rose gin. Picture: Venture North
Carnegie Whisky Cellars, the independent whisky shop in Dornoch. Picture: Venture North
Carnegie Whisky Cellars, the independent whisky shop in Dornoch. Picture: Venture North

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More