Ayrshire Tourism Businesses Invited to Join Global Event Connect 2026

Strategic Insights -

Ayrshire's tourism businesses have been invited to participate in VisitScotland Connect 2026, a major global event set to take place in Glasgow next year. The event aims to boost Scotland's share of the global tourism market by connecting local tourism businesses with international tour operators, travel advisors, and destination management companies. This year, SimpsInns, Auchrannie Resort, and Trump Turnberry represented Ayrshire at the event in Aberdeen, where they held 8,200 meetings resulting in bookings worth an estimated £8.6 million for Scotland.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ayrshire tourism businesses are invited to participate in VisitScotland Connect 2026, a global event aimed at boosting Scotland's share of the global tourism market.
  • The event will take place in Glasgow next year, connecting Scottish tourism businesses with global tour operators, travel advisors, and destination management companies.
  • This year's event in Aberdeen saw SimpsInns, Auchrannie Resort, and Trump Turnberry hold 8,200 meetings, resulting in bookings worth an estimated £8.6 million for Scotland.
  • Over 8,000 meetings were held at the 2025 event, demonstrating the potential value of these connections for Scottish tourism businesses.
  • The Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce, VisitArran, and local councils formed a regional partnership, Visit Ayrshire and Arran, for the first time in response to the event.
  • Overnight visitors in Ayrshire & Arran spent £161 million last year, stimulating investment, creating jobs, and enhancing Scotland's global reputation.
  • Trade-ready Scottish businesses can register to participate in VisitScotland Connect 2026 via the registration link at https://visitscotland.eventsair.com/visitscotlandconnect.
  • Lynsey Eckford, VisitScotland regional director, encouraged trade-ready tourism businesses in Ayrshire to sign up for 2026 and capitalize on growing international interest.

Statistics:

  • 8,200 meetings were held at this year's event, resulting in bookings worth an estimated £8.6 million for Scotland.
  • Over 8,000 meetings were held at the 2025 event, demonstrating the potential value of these connections for Scottish tourism businesses.
  • Overnight visitors in Ayrshire & Arran spent £161 million last year.
  • VisitScotland Connect aims to help more Scottish tourism and events businesses to internationalise and capitalize on growing international interest.

Sources:

  • "Ayrshire tourism businesses invited to join global event Connect 2026" - No specific date or publication mentioned in the article
  • VisitScotland Connect registration link: https://visitscotland.eventsair.com/visitscotlandconnect
  • VisitScotland - No specific date or publication mentioned in the article