Golf links fly flag for regional tourism

Discover Scotland: Reconnect 2022 is part of VisitScotland’s activity to rebuild international tourism demand following the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as supporting the country’s ambitions to be a leading destination for responsible tourism.

The golf links joined more than 30 other businesses from across the Tayside area including V&A Dundee and Dundee Heritage Trust.

In all, 324 Scottish businesses engaged with 298 international tour operators and travel agents from 21 global markets at the three-day online event earlier this month.

While inbound travel accounts for a fifth of all visitors to Scotland, it provides more than 40% of the overall spending. Scotland’s key international markets pre-pandemic were USA, Germany, Australia, China and France.

Caroline Warburton, VisitScotland regional leadership director, said: “Domestic visitors have been vital driving recovery from Covid-19, but the return of international visitors is also incredibly important for Tay and Fife’s valuable tourism industry.

"It was fantastic to have over 30 businesses representing the very best of what the region has to offer. We know there is pent-up demand to travel and with the easing of final travel restrictions, we look forward to sharing Tay and Fife’s stunning landscapes, culture, and warm welcome this summer and beyond.”

Kim Spiers, brand and marketing manager at Carnoustie Golf Links, said the event had proved to be useful for existing and new business contacts.

She said: “Having the opportunity to re-engage with existing tour operators and reach out to new ones has been extremely advantageous.

"As we have not been able to visit or welcome our international clients for a number of years now, this event was the perfect chance to discuss opportunities for the coming year and beyond. We also discovered that there were many brand new opportunities opening up as more traditional tour operators start to seek out the type of memorable experiences that we offer.”