Getting found online | real-world tips for tourism... - News

The Business Support Hub website gives tourism and events businesses free, tailored advice, and resources to help them grow, develop and connect with new audiences.

It covers key topics like meeting customer expectations, partnering with travel distribution partners, and managing digital channels. You’ll find content in a range of formats, including videos and practical, evidence-based articles.

There are also case studies that share real-world examples. We’ve recently added five new video case studies from businesses around the country, highlighting the benefits of being found online through an online booking system, as well as using Online Travel Agents (OTAs).

Hear direct from businesses

Most people start their travel planning online. They search for experiences and destinations, read reviews, and compare options before they book. If a business isn’t online, visitors probably won’t find them.

Booking systems can cover rooms, tickets and tours, help with customer management and service, and make it easier to sell through a travel distribution partner as well as through your direct channels.

Many visitors use OTAs (online travel agents) to plan and / or book their trips. Sites like Booking.com and Expedia are popular because they make it easy to compare options, see reviews, and book everything in one place.

We’ve launched five video case studies from businesses across Scotland using OTAs to successfully attract business. You’ll find the videos featured on our Business Support Hub website. Hear from the following businesses:

SaltDog Marine in Dundee

Rosebank Distillery in Falkirk

Real Mary King’s Close in Edinburgh

Grampian Escape & Tours in Aberdeen

Gallus Pedals in Glasgow

Take a look at the new video case studies

Got a story to tell?

Your story could help other tourism and events businesses learn, grow and succeed. By sharing your experience as a case study, you’ll provide practical insights, highlight what’s worked for you, and inspire others facing similar challenges. It’s a great way to showcase your business and contribute to a stronger, more connected industry.

It doesn’t need to be about OTAs, feel free to share how you’re using social media, how your team delivers great customer service, or what you're doing to cut down on carbon emissions. We'd love to hear from you.

Get in touch via our 'Contact Us' form

Grow your business through travel distribution

If the business case studies have convinced you to explore using an Online Travel Agent, you might be thinking about the steps you need to take to understand travel distribution, review your prices and find the right OTA for your business.

The Business Support Hub has you covered there too with a series of “How to” videos providing a step-by-step guide to understanding travel distribution (how to get your tourism product in front of customers, whether through a website, an agent or a tour operator).

Use the videos to learn how to set travel distribution prices, how to prepare a pitch for a travel distribution partner and how to connect with the right travel distribution partners for your business.

The videos are presented by our Market Development Manager for the US, Nicole Graham, who brings a trusted and expert voice to the videos. The videos are short, and informative, and can provide you with everything you need to help reach new visitors.

Explore the "How To" videos