VisitScotland woos Chinese buyers at VisitScotland Expo

40 Chinese buyers welcomed to Scotland as travel trade show marks 40th birthday

Tourism businesses from across Scotland will be highlighted to the world at VisitScotland Expo this week.

As China a priority market for the national tourism organisation, with a 316% increase in visitor numbers from China to Scotland since 2011, some 40 Chinese buyers will be in attendance. These include noted tour operators such as China Travel Service, HCG and Zanadu among others.

This is a significant year for the national tourist board as 2019 marks the organisation's 50th anniversary and the 40th staging of VisitScotland Expo.

The event, held at the SEC (Scottish Event Campus) in Glasgow on April 10 and 11, is also hosting the highest number of exhibitors in its history with over 330 businesses attending as it hits the big 4-0. The show began as the Scotland's Travel Trade Fair in 1980 before being rebranded in 2001.

It has grown into Scotland's premier business to business event giving tour operators and travel agents from across the globe the chance to meet Scottish tourism businesses and learn about their products and services– all under one roof.

Last year saw over 300 companies showcased and more than 570 buyers from around the world flocking to Scotland to attend the flagship event with over 9,500 pre-made appointments taking place. VisitScotland welcomed Ctrip to Expo in 2018 who have since created a Scotland portal on the Ctrip platform and hosted China- Ready workshops with VisitScotland in Beijing focusing on Chinese FIT travelers and their booking behaviours.

2018 was also significant for the Chinese market in Scotland with the launch of the first ever direct flight from China to Scotland with Hainan Airlines alongside the launch of social media channels in China by VisitScotland.

As always, Scotland is playing host to world-class events in 2019 outside of Expo with The Solheim Cup – the biggest event in women's golf being held at Gleneagles in Perthshire in September.

Tourism is one of Scotland's most important industries, creating job opportunities, sustaining communities and ultimately contributing billions to the Scottish economy. 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the Development of Tourism Act 1969 which led to the creation of an official Scottish Tourist Board. VisitScotland will be celebrating this important milestone throughout the year, sharing the success with its industry colleagues and partners.

This year also sees Expo gearing up for the Year of Coasts and Waters 2020. Scotland's diverse coastal scenery, ranging from dramatic cliffs and sea stacks to gleaming white beaches, offers an unparalleled range of experiences. Scotland's coasts and waters will be showcased and celebrated, with a program of activity designed to support the nation's tourism and events sectors, throughout the whole of next year.

Delegates attending VisitScotland Expo will also participate in familiarisation (fam) trips to the region, to give them a real-life first-hand experience of the types of holidays they will be able to provide to customers. For Chinese buyers, VisitScotland are working with Finnair and Hainan Airlines on two fam trips covering the regions of Edinburgh, Fife, Stirling, Loch Lomond, Glasgow, Ayrshire, Dumfries & Galloway, Scottish Borders, Perthshire and the Highlands.

Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland said: "VisitScotland Expo allows businesses - including accommodation providers, visitor attractions and activity providers – to showcase their products and services to hundreds of tour operators and travel agents from all over the world – all under one roof.

"This brilliant annual event really is a key opportunity to firmly place Scotland on the travel trade's radar and it is wonderful to see so many new and returning businesses getting involved.

"Tourism is more than a holiday experience it is the heartbeat of the Scottish economy and touches every community, generating income, jobs and social change. We need to encourage the industry to provide world class service, facilities, events and attractions to keep up with ever-changing consumer demands and ensure visitors continue to have memorable experiences."