VisitScotland promotes Natural Scotland and Homecoming Scotland in India

SAYONI BHADURI – Mumbai

Looking at a long term growth strategy for India and other BRIC nations, VisitScotland is promoting the country for the next two years. Providing details Lindsay Symington, marketing manager – Trade Partnershios Long Haul and Emerging Markets, VisitScotland said, “We are currently promoting the 2013 season where we are focussing on Natural Scotland. The focus will be the lochs, castles, natural heritage, etc. We have created a dedicated online toolkit for agents.” Year 2014 will be promoted as Homecoming Scotland. Scotland welcomes the world to see its events and festivals, events  and festivals, and culture and heritage. “We have taken this theme up again after its success in 2009,” added Symington,   2014 is also the year when Commonwealth Games will take place in Glasgow. “We have created special e-programmes, websites with cultural activities and we will use campaigns to promote Scotland,” she said.

Scotland receives an average 19000 Indian visitors annually generating an approximate revenue of 60,000 GBP. “We have been working with the Indian market for a while now and we now have 1400 Scotsagent in India under the Scots – Destination Specialist Programme,” said Symington. Edinburgh, Glasgow, the Highlands and Inverness still remain the most popular destinations in Scotland for Indians. US and Germany still remain their biggest source market apart from domestic travellers.