Scotland’s New Experiences event
One standout initiative is our “Scotland’s New Experiences” event, now in its third successful year. This low-cost, entry-level workshop in Edinburgh connects Scottish suppliers, who are new to working with travel trade, with Destination Management Companies (DMCs) who can help them access and sell to international markets.
Based in Scotland, DMCs are an easy and highly effective way for businesses new to selling in overseas markets to start to generate international sales. It can also be a very cost-effective way of dipping your toe into working with the travel trade.
This year’s event, held on 3 and 4 December, brought together 40 Scottish businesses and 19 DMCs representing tour operators worldwide.
Participants had the chance to:
- showcase their bookable products directly to DMCs
- grow experience in pitching their business to an international audience
- gain insights into market demands and global travel trends
- understand what’s required to work successfully with travel trade
The format was developed in response to growing demand from DMCs for new, unique, and responsible products. By introducing emerging trade-ready businesses to global markets, we help address this demand while supporting the Scottish tourism industry to grow sustainably.
Domestic and international travel trade – whether tour operators, DMCs, travel advisors or online travel agents – play a vital role in Scotland’s tourism ecosystem.
Choosing the right partners can deliver benefits beyond higher-yield visitors, including better targeting and managing visitor flow throughout the year. We work year-round to navigate the travel trade landscape, identifying operators who best fit Scotland and its tourism businesses and making meaningful connections between both.
The immediate feedback from this year’s event was overwhelmingly positive from both Scottish businesses and DMCs, reinforcing the value of creating these connections.
By continuing to foster collaboration and innovation, we ensure Scotland remains a destination that inspires travellers and supports the businesses that make those experiences possible.
