Tourism expert at Robert Gordon University (RGU), Andrew Martin will be travelling to Orkney to increase the profile of Aberdeen city and shire on the island.
Mr Martin, director of the Scottish Centre of Tourism (SCoT), based at Aberdeen’s School of Creative and Cultural Business, alongside members and friends of the Aberdeen City and Shire Hotel Association (ACSHA) will be setting sail for Orkney courtesy of NorthLink Ferries on the Thursday February 9.
The main aim of the expedition is to encourage more locals from the northern islands to visit Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. Together with partners VisitAberdeenshire and VisitScotland, they are looking to promote the ferry links between the islands and Aberdeen and urge more Islanders to hop on a ferry to visit the North-east.
While in Orkney, the group will have the full tourist experience, sampling local foods, visiting the historical sites and taking in all the island has to offer.
Mr Martin said: “This activity works on a number of levels. We are promoting our area to people who we know like to visit, we just want to give them a reason to come more often. Expect to see more Orcadian fare on north-east menus, and a few of our near neighbours visiting throughout 2017.”
Gary Atkinson, Chairman of ACSHA, said: “We are very grateful to NorthLink Ferries for making this happen by sponsoring the initiative. A genuine example of joined up thinking and working together.”