North East Businesses Can Tap into Tourism Cash

National tourism body VisitScotland is calling on tourism businesses across the North East to apply for money from its Growth Fund, a scheme designed to support tourism groups throughout Scotland in marketing their products and services to full potential.

Launched in August 2008 and part funded by the European Union, the Growth Fund is

open to national, regional and local groups of tourism businesses, and intended to help them reach new markets and increase visitor numbers.

Since its launch, VisitScotland’s Growth Fund has awarded over £670,000 to tourism groups across the country, but so far no applications have been made in Aberdeen City or Shire, as Regional Director, Ken Massie, explains: “Aberdeen City and Shire are very much under-represented. This area boasts a fantastic tourism product and great potential for cross-selling and partnership working between businesses - which is exactly what the Growth Fund is all about - and I strongly encourage businesses throughout the region to apply.”

Rita Stephen, development manager for ACSEF (Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future) applauded the Growth Fund for encouraging businesses to work together to improve the visitor experience. She said: “We work closely with VisitScotland to market Aberdeen City and Shire and support local tourism businesses. This fund will enable these businesses to get the support they need to work in partnership and further enhance the tourism product in this area which has already been improved with significant new leisure, golf, retail and hotel developments. We would urge businesses to apply for the funding.”

Emma Wilson is VisitScotland’s Growth Fund Advisor for the North of Scotland, Emma explains: “The fund offers significant sums of money to dedicated groups and can support groups with 50% of approved total marketing costs over a one year period - from a minimum award of £3,125 to a maximum of £65,000. My role is to help groups develop their marketing ideas and funding application, and provide general guidance throughout the lifetime of their project.”

Ken Massie added: “The fund is there to support well-researched and integrated marketing activity and I would urge eligible groups to make the most of this opportunity. In the current climate it is essential we all work together to ensure tourism in Aberdeen City and Shire grows in the future. Only by working in partnership can we build on the area’s reputation, reaffirming it as the must-see, must-return destination it really is.”

For more information on the VisitScotland’s Growth Fund and how to apply, log on to www.visitscotland.org/growthfund.

For further information, please contact:

Mon - Wed:

Sally Wallis, Corporate Press Officer North, VisitScotland

Tel: 01224 288816 Mobile: 07785 515465

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Wed - Fri:

Lorna MacLennan, Corporate Press Officer North, VisitScotland

Tel: 01463 244171 Mobile: 07785515469

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Notes to Editors

• 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:

1. To market Scotland to all parts of the world to attract visitors

2. To provide information – and inspiration – to visitors and potential visitors so they get the best out of a visit to Scotland

3. 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 over 1,000 people and has offices and tourist information centres across Scotland.

• Tourism employs 200,000 people in Scotland in 20,000 diverse businesses. Almost 16 million tourists take overnight trips to Scotland. The industry generates over £4 billion revenue annually. Tourism supports around 9 per cent of employment in Scotland (13 per cent in the Highlands).

• For VisitScotland’s press releases, tourism statistics and frequently asked questions go to http://www.visitscotland.org/

• 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.visitscotlandannualreview.com