A number of the UK’s most important inbound tour operators have paid a visit to Gordon Castle Walled Garden, Johnstons of Elgin and the Speyside Cooperage as a part of their familiarisation trip, or fam trip, to Moray Speyside.
The Discover Moray Speyside event took place from the 26th to the 28th November and showcased the region to 30 inbound tour operators who have travelled from across the U. This event is the first UKinbound Discover event to take place in the region. The buyers that took part in this event experienced b2b workshops as well as specially tailored arm trips around the region and a range of different networking opportunities such as a welcome reception at Johnstons of Elgin and a networking dinner which was held at Elgin’s Mansfield Hotel.
This event was organised by VisitScotland, Moray Speyside Tourism, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and UKinbound in order to support work to raise awareness of Moray Speyside as a destination as well as including the region in tour programmes and offer the opportunity for international buyers to experience the region while also meeting suppliers and drive the internationalisation of these local businesses.
Feedback from the event has been positive, with buyers saying the fam trips are a great way to allow international tour operators to experience the unique region and meet local businesses and suppliers. It is great that this event was secured for Moray Speyside, and Laurie Piper, the Operations Manager of Moray Speyside Tourism has said that this is the first time that UKinbound has held a Discover event here. The value of this event for the region offers potential business and also the opportunity to raise the profile of Moray Speyside while developing strong partnerships with important stakeholders in areas beyond the UK.
The Group experienced fam trips to Boath House, Johnstons of Elgin, a guided walk from Castle to Cathedral to Cashmere, Gordon Castle and Walled Garden, Ballindalloch Castle, Delnashaugh, Glen Grant Distillery, Speyside Cooperage, The Craigellachie Hotel and The Station Hotel in Rothes.
