Visit Scotland | Alba
Article published 07/07/2022

We’re delighted to announce the appointment of David Jackson, who joins the organisation as our new Regional Director for Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray Speyside.

David has spent the last twenty years working in travel, tourism and destination management across the UK, following his graduation from the University of Derby in 2001. He has recently moved to Aberdeenshire from Cheltenham in Gloucestershire with his wife, Lisa, and two daughters, Poppy and Bluebell, to take up the position of Regional Director.

In his spare time, David enjoys spending time with his family, especially in the outdoors and at the coast where he enjoys surfing and exploring in his vintage VW campervan.

David Jackson and his family standing infront of Edinburgh Castle

David's role and professional background

As Regional Director, David’s appointment will see him collaboratively working with local tourism organisations such as local councils, VisitAberdeenshire, Visit Moray Speyside and many other stakeholders to maximise the visitor economy, sustainable tourism and tourism recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.

After an initial two years working in tour operating, David secured his first destination role at the destination marketing organisations (DMO) in Lincoln, where he went on to lead the county’s £2 million digital tourism project - one of the first of its kind in the country.

Since then, David’s career has taken him to a series of senior roles in a range of settings, from running the regional quality, digital and Information Centres programme in the north west of England through to Head of Marketing at Visit Bath.

More recently, David spent five years as Director of the DMO on the Isles of Scilly, The Islands' Partnership, prior to heading up Marketing Cheltenham in Gloucestershire.

A word from David

So why Scotland? To my family and I it’s really more a question of why not Scotland? Scotland, and in particular the north east, has so much to offer. There's spectacular coastline and beaches, amazing outdoor and adventure experiences – and of course Aberdeen, a city rich in history yet with a distinctive style and contemporary culture in equal measure.

Professionally, it was a similarly easy decision to make. VisitScotland is widely recognised as one of the leading tourism bodies anywhere in the world so to have the opportunity to become part of that and make my own contribution is incredibly exciting.

David Jackson, Regional Director, VisitScotland

Get in touch

Our Regional Directors, Regional Leadership Directors and Development Managers have the responsibility of making the most of tourism opportunities as well as developing and strengthening partnerships within their region. They work in collaboration with local authorities, destination organisations and other key stakeholders.

If you're a tourism business within Aberdeen, Aberdeen and Moray Speyside, David would love to hear from you. Get in touch with David.

 

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