Tune into Tourism

This week, we're talking visitor attractions! Joining host Julia Sutherland this week are Andrew Johnson (General Manager, Camera Obscura and World of Illusions), Iris Thompson-Burton (Business Manager. The Highlanders' Museum), and Martin Murray (Owner / Distiller, Dunnet Bay Distillery) They discuss the unique challenges their sector faces - including how to allow for social distancing in old buildings, enabling guests to interact with exhibits, targeting a different demographic, using data and technology solutions, and the importance of sustainability

The focus is on activity providers in this episode, as three tourism business owners/operators joined host Julia Sutherland remotely, to discuss the specific challenges within their sector, and share ideas how they are surviving in these as we attempt to steer a path through this global pandemic.

Mark Turner (solwaytours.co.uk), Tim Allen (glassbottomedboat.co.uk) and Reece McAfee (rivertoseascotland.co.uk) talk about diversifying their offering, saving money, how the market is changing - and why that could be good news for smaller businesses offering bespoke services.

Lesley Judge, Sector Engagement Executive for Tourism at Interface (www.interface-online.org.uk) shares some of the many developments across the sectors - from the use of QR codes in hospitality, to NASA technology being deployed in new cleaning techniques! And Chief Executive of the Association of Scotland's Self-Caterers (www.assc.co.uk), Fiona Campbell, tells us about some of the apps and systems being used in self catering businesses, which have been created in response to the coronavirus.

Episode 7 is all about marketing strategies. CEO of Visit Inverness Loch Ness, Michael Golding, shares some encouraging news following the launch of the new 'Scottish Cities' marketing campaign. Carron Tobin, Development Manager for Argyll and the Isles Tourism co-operative, tells us about their latest strategy, emphasising their impressive local food and drink offering, and how working with a Blogger has provided revelation and inspiration!

As the tourism industry re-opens in Scotland, we look at how to improve the visitor experience - and increase revenue - as you rebuild your business.

Market manager at a Expedia, Matthew Quinn helps us to focus on accommodation - find out how the gap left by international travellers is being filled, how to protect your pricing while encouraging longer stays, and the key to conversion.

Then tourism expert Doug Lanksy shares his vision to change the metrics of success, for the future survival of the industry.

In this episode, host Julia Sutherland is joined by VisitScotland's Director of Industry and Destination Development, Riddell Graham, who fully explains the process of self-certifying your business with the Good to Go scheme (www.goodtogoscotland.com), and travel journalist and broadcaster Simon Calder reports back on emerging trends and industry reactions in England and beyond, as well as sharing some of his own experiences of travelling within Europe over the last few weeks.

We get a dose of positive thinking and tips on building online communities from SayYesMore.com founder Dave Cornthwaite, hear about lots of creative and innovative things happening in hospitality businesses across the world from Senior Trend Analyst at TheFoodPeople.com, Scott Fraser, and learn three things we need to know from this week's VisitScotland.org Market Intelligence report from their Senior Tourism Insight Manager Chris Greenwood.

Digital strategy expert Emil Spangenberg from Frame & Work, and VisitScotland's Senior Tourism Insight Manager, Chris Greenwood, join host Julia Sutherland to talk about getting your marketing messages right, as we begin the process of restarting tourism in Scotland.

Digital Tourism Think Tank's Nick Hall, and VisitScotland's Senior Tourism Insight Manager, Chris Greenwood, joined host Julia Sutherland and discussed the role of sustainability within the 'new normal', the importance of involving communities to mitigate tourism impacts, as well as how tourism can help to rebuild the local economy.