New mentoring programme to drive seafood tourism

A new series of webinars launched

We've partnered with Seafood Scotland to launch a six-week mentoring programme to inspire and cultivate the growth of seafood tourism across the country.

The series of webinars is part of the Beyond the Boat initiative launched by Seafood Scotland earlier this year and will consist of six weeks of informative sessions, alongside additional mentoring from experts, creating a springboard to help seafood entrepreneurs diversify into tourism.

The partnership with Seafood Scotland will provide businesses with skills and know-how from both organisations, helping companies create memorable and authentic food tourism experiences, offering opportunities to taste and eat Scottish seafood and attracting visitors from across the UK and internationally.

The six-week series of webinars will give advice and expertise on topics including sources of funding, creating a tourism experience, insights, legal advice, storytelling, compliance and assurance, media relations and social media. In addition, case studies from successful businesses relevant to the sector will be developed, with an opportunity to come together at the end of the mentoring programme to meet with experts in person.

Beyond the Boat innovation programme

Launched in January this year, the Beyond the Boat innovation programme is aimed at stimulating seafood initiatives and spreading risk for businesses by diversifying into new and emerging sectors. The programme is provided to businesses free-of-charge and it's hoped those taking part will provide real life exemplars of businesses embarking on a seafood tourism journey for the wider seafood community in Scotland.

The businesses involved in the Beyond the Boat programme stretch the length and breadth of the country, from Tarbert to Dunbar and Plockton to Shetland with a variety of water based, land based and food sale offerings.

Seafood Scotland has put the programme of sessions together based on feedback from these companies on what would be the most useful information for them to have to move forward with their business.

Programme of webinars

• 25 May: Why tourism matters; business diversification and what it adds to the sector; what the plans are for the next two months. (What is missing / needed).
• 1 June: What monies are available, from whom and how to apply for it (and match it?).
• 8 June: Collaboration and community engagement; building meaningful events.
• 15 June: Visitor and consumer insights – what matters and why. The innovation evolution process.
• 22 June: Telling the story that visitors want to hear.
• 29 June: Making it safe and driving visitors through assurances.
• 6 July: Why social media matters, where to start and how to do it.

To find out more about the webinars and to register your place go to the Seafood Scotland website.