VisitScotland Tourism Insider | Scotland’s people, places and communities Εισερχόμενα

 

Glentress Forest in the Scottish Borders. © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam Celebrating Scotland’s people, places and communities This month we launched ‘It Starts With A Visit’, celebrating the positive difference tourism and events make to Scotland’s people, places and communities.  The idea is simple. Every visit starts with someone choosing Scotland, but its impact reaches much further. We want to shine a light on those benefits and build greater appreciation of how our industry helps make Scotland a great place to live, work, study, do business and visit.  Of course, continuing to deliver those benefits means looking ahead too, and working together to build a strong and sustainable visitor economy.   In this edition, you’ll find updates on how we’re supporting that ambition, from helping businesses take climate action and strengthening our insights, to celebrating the people, businesses and events that make our industry what it is.  I hope you enjoy this month’s Tourism Insider and join us in sharing the message behind It Starts With A Visit.  Kind regards,  Vicki Miller  Chief Executive, VisitScotland

Glasgow's Mural Trail. © VisitScotland / Allan Myles It Starts With A Visit – your toolkit Take a look at our industry toolkit on how to get involved with our corporate campaign It Starts With a Visit. Join us in celebrating the positive impact a visit can have on Scotland's people and places. Check out the toolkit

New carbon calculator to help tackle climate change for tourism and events  In partnership with TRACE by isla, we’ve launched a brand-new carbon calculator to give tourism and events businesses across Scotland a tool to capture carbon data to help maximise their climate action goals.  Don't miss out - get involved

Scottish Thistle Awards 2026 regional trophy.  © Connor Mollison  Scottish Thistle Awards 2026 – our Regional Winners Find out which businesses, events and individuals have been crowned regional winners at Scotland’s tourism and events “Oscars”. The winners from the five regional finals will now go on to compete at the National Final in November.  See the regional winners

Group at Queen Elizabeth Forest Park in Aberfoyle, Stirling. © VisitScotland / Allan Myles  Our Scottish Visitor Survey returns next year The Scotland Visitor Survey is returning in 2027 and, for the first time, will run all year. It will gather insight from our key domestic and international markets. Discover how it helps us build a fuller picture of Scotland’s visitors and experiences.  Dive into the detail

Craigies Farm, South Queensferry, Edinburgh. © Scottish Agritourism  How we’re promoting Scotland this autumn winter  Hear how we’re encouraging international and domestic visitors to come to Scotland this autumn and winter. By connecting travellers with authentic experiences that tap into their interests, we’re inspiring them to discover more of what Scotland has to offer throughout the season.   Our marketing activity

Edinburgh will welcome the start of the 2027 Tour De France Grand Départ. © SWpix.com Tour de France route announcement The full route for the 2027 Tour de France has been announced. Edinburgh will host the start of the race before it makes its way through Midlothian, the Scottish Borders and Dumfries & Galloway.  View the full route details

Visitor economy spotlight

The official opening of the boardwalk at Hermaness, conducted by NatureScot CEO Francesca Osowska OBE. © VisitScotland / Steve Mathieson Boosting the visitor economy through a boardwalk The creation of a 2km boardwalk on Scotland (and the UK’s) most northerly inhabited island has seen a direct benefit to the local visitor economy, whilst also protecting one of its key visitor attractions for years to come. Walk this way

Our Chair, Stephen Leckie.  VisitScotland Chair reappointed We're pleased to share the news that Stephen Leckie, has been reappointed as Chair to the VisitScotland Board, as announced last week by The Scottish Government's Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, Stephen Flynn.  More about our Chair

Radical Weavers, Stirling.  © VisitScotland / Luigi Di Pasquale  Business Support Hub – latest updates Our latest webinar recording explores how collaboration can create meaningful, community-led tourism experiences. Hear how to develop responsible, locally rooted products and connect with international markets, with insights from Tourism Cares, Intrepid Travel and Radical Weavers. Hit "Play"

In other news... Huge congratulations to Dumfries & Galloway, which was named as one of the Best of the World destinations for 2027, by travel authority National Geographic.    The latest meeting update (16 September) from the Tourism and Hospitality Industry Leadership Group (THILG) is now available on our website.  Submit your feedback through the Scottish Tourism Alliance Business and Industry Survey 2026 and have your say on the future of the STA and help shape their future priorities.  The UK Caravan and Camping Alliance are inviting tourers, campers, glampers, holiday caravan/lodge owners and renters on holiday parks caravan and campsites across the UK to complete a survey on the impact of UK holiday parks and campsites on the economy. Tags: VisitScotland Tourism