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Tourism

VisitScotland Connect to Return to Glasgow in 2026, Promoting City's Tourism Offer

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

VisitScotland Connect, the national tourism organization's flagship travel trade event, is set to return to Glasgow in 2026 after being held in Aberdeen in 2025. The event aims to help Scottish tourism businesses connect with global tour operators, travel advisers, and destination management companies to grow Scotland's share of international tourism. The event is expected to attract tourism businesses and travel intermediaries from around the world, with a focus on promoting Glasgow's world-class tourism offer and attracting more visitors to the city.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 2025 edition of VisitScotland Connect was held in Aberdeen, attracting nearly 250 tourism businesses and more than 270 travel intermediaries.
  • Attendees held over 8200 meetings, a 1200 increase from 2024, with 50 businesses participating for the first time.
  • Half of all overseas visitors book their trips through tour operators or travel advisers, making VisitScotland Connect a key driver for reaching global audiences.
  • The event is expected to return to Glasgow in 2026, with tourism businesses that are ready to work with the travel trade able to register via the VisitScotland Connect event website.
  • Aileen Crawford, head of tourism and conventions at Glasgow Life, is looking forward to connecting with travel trade buyers at VisitScotland Connect to promote Glasgow's tourism offer.
  • Lynne Cooper, regional director at VisitScotland, encourages trade-ready tourism businesses in Glasgow to sign up for 2026 to capitalize on growing international interest in the city's tourism offer.

Statistics:

  • The 2025 edition of VisitScotland Connect attracted nearly 250 tourism businesses and more than 270 travel intermediaries.
  • Attendees held over 8200 meetings, a 1200 increase from 2024.
  • Half of all overseas visitors book their trips through tour operators or travel advisers.
  • The South African government aims to have 100,000 products from Africa listed for export on e-WTA within the next five years.
  • Tourism businesses can register to take part in the 2026 event via the VisitScotland Connect event website.

Sources:

  • [www.seconline.com](http://www.seconline.com)
  • [www.visitscotland.org](http://www.visitscotland.org)
  • [www.glasgow.gov.uk](http://www.glasgow.gov.uk)
  • [www.travelweekly.co.uk](http://www.travelweekly.co.uk)

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