Move to attract more leisure sailors
An initiative linking Inverness, Wick and the Northern Isles has been launched to attract more leisure sailors to these areas.
The newly-formed Sail North Scotland Marinas Association has successfully secured funding of £9,000 from the VisitScotland Growth Fund to support an ambitious marketing programme.
The promotional activities will raise awareness of the Viking Trail, the route linking north Scotland to Scandinavia, and encourage more yachtsmen and women to sample the sailing, climate and shore-side facilities of the wider area.
Sailing is big business for Scottish tourism. The estimated value of the marine leisure sector in Scotland is more than £250million, which puts it close to the estimated value of golf.
Last year, UK visitors to Scotland spent about £27million on sailing activities alone, and research also shows more than 253,000 overnight trips in 2008 involved sailing activity.
Thanks to the funding boost, a new website, www.sailnorthscotland.com , will be designed, and a project manager recruited to help deliver a programme of online and press campaigns.
The cash will also allow the association to produce leaflets to distribute to boats visiting the harbour looking for advice on local facilities, accommodation and visitor attractions.
The funding will also be put towards ensuring Sail North Scotland Marinas Association has a presence at important international boat shows, with the first planned trip taking place in Sweden early next year.
Chairman Brian Kynoch said: "All four locations have had an excellent year, despite the world economic downturn.
"With the new facilities at Wick and Inverness coming on line this year, coupled with the now well-established Orkney and Shetland marinas, we see SNS and the Viking Trail as a huge marketing opportunity."
VisitScotland's island manager for Orkney Barbara Foulkes added: "I am delighted that the hard work of the marinas association is being recognised in this way, and I'm confident that this cash injection will help them go from strength to strength.
"The funding announcement comes on the back of what has been a really positive summer season for Orkney - the marina has been particularly busy this year, with a whole host of ancillary businesses reaping the rewards.
"Tourism growth is critical to the future of Scotland and, in the current climate, it's vital that businesses work together. Collaboration allows businesses to punch beyond their weight, building on cross-selling to work together and seek opportunities and make the best of them."
A new Growth Fund Adviser, Emma Wilson has been appointed to cover the North of Scotland. For more information please visit -http://www.visitscotland.org/marketing_opportunities_main/growthfund.htm