Let's Talk Travel Trade: Edition 8

Welcome to Edition 8, the festive edition of our monthly newsletter. We have a lot to catch you up on for the month of December. Throughout the chilly winter months, inbound tourism in the UK tends to wind down, picking back up again in the springtime. However, the team at BOSH have still been very busy with lots to discuss before we ring in the new year.

?In this edition, we will discuss VisitScotland’s “Trade Readiness” workshop in Edinburgh, an important new staff member joining us in January, how Scotland celebrates the festive season, and Jacqui's exciting trip across the water to the bustling city of Dublin.

On December 11th, the tourism team at “Welcome to Fife” launched a 7-year strategy, aiming to drive visitors to the town. The strategy was developed in consultation with local business owners and stakeholders after a post-Covid dip in tourism to Fife. The strategy focuses on sustainability, wellness, and authentic experiences. The “Welcome to Fife” team visualises the Kingdom of Fife as being one of Scotland’s top tourism destinations and a market leader in sustainable tourism. They also want Fife to be top of the list for major Scottish events. As BOSH is based within the Kingdom of Fife, the promotion of Fife’s market awareness is something that we are passionate about as it is a town that offers stunning scenery, a warm welcome from locals, cultural attractions, and outstanding local cuisine. We wish the “Welcome to Fife” team the best of luck!

Trade Readiness – Scotland’s New Experiences

VisitScotland recently organised a one-day workshop in Edinburgh where our Operations Director Jacqui had the opportunity to meet with around 20 new trade ready Scottish suppliers for 1-2-1 appointments in what was a speed networking format with each appointment lasting 12 minutes.? The appointments were with hand-picked suppliers from across Scotland who are new to working with travel trade (e.g. agritourism experiences, food & drink experiences, outdoor activities) and who support Scotland’s ambition to become a responsible tourism destination. We really enjoyed meeting these suppliers, including Alvie and Dalraddy Estates, Ardardan Estate, Beinn an Tuirc Distillers, Belhaven Brewery, Bellvue Farm, Byres Farm, Craufurdland, Dark Art Distillery, Falkirk Whisky Distillery Company, Farm Stop, Fodder & Farm, Heathery Heights, Hillgoers, Kilmalcolm Farm Tours, Kitchen Coos & Ewes, Laggan, Megginch Estate Partnership, Muckle Brig, Saltdog Marine, Shorelands Orkney, Stotfield Hotel, and the Trimontium Museum.

?This month, our directors Duncan and Marie Dewar also traveled to New York to visit our valued existing clients. They also presented to some exciting potential new clients while they were on their visit. Finally, we have been anticipating the arrival of our new Sales and Marketing Director. We are delighted to announce that Kirsten will be joining us in January, so you will get to meet her and hear more about her in our next edition.

Festivities in Scotland

?Nestled among picturesque landscapes, Scotland’s charming Christmas markets are the perfect way to celebrate the festive season. These markets, donning twinkling lights on their traditional wooden chalets, stand vibrant hubs of seasonal cheer or commerce. Each stall offers an exquisite array of handmade gifts, artisan crafts, and culinary delights from around the world. The atmosphere is filled with the harmonies of carol singers, and the aroma of mulled wine and baked festive treats. Every Scottish city puts their own unique spin on these markets, each set against a historic backdrop or the natural beauty of the surroundings. Scotland’s Christmas markets provide an enchanting experience for both locals and visitors and encapsulates the charm of a Scottish Christmas.

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay

?Bring in the new year in style with a night of revelry at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay! New Years Eve, known as “Hogmanay” in Scotland is one of the biggest celebrations of the year in Edinburgh, with many events taking place throughout the evening and into the new year. Visitors from across the globe join Edinburgh locals to witness the electrifying street parties, the stunning torchlight parade, and the awe-inspiring fireworks that light up the skies above Edinburgh Castle as the clock strikes midnight. The night draws to a close with the poignant strains of “Auld Lang Syne” filling the air as everyone gathers in a circle, holds hands, and reflects on the year we have just said goodbye to. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay has been uniting people from all walks of life for years, gathering us all together in a collective embrace of hope, renewal, and exciting fresh beginnings in a new year.

BOSH in Dublin

?Our Operations Director Jacqui was on her travels again, this time she visited the vibrant city of Dublin. The lively capital of Ireland is filled with history and culture, boasting an eclectic blend of Georgian architecture, cobbled streets, and contemporary structures. Jacqui visited many of Dublin’s attractions which pay homage to the city’s artistic and brewing legacies. She first visited the Guinness Storehouse which over several floors tell the story of this iconic drink and finishes up on the 7th floor in the gravity bar with a pint of the black stuff and panoramic views of the city. She also visited the EPIC museum which has won Europe’s Leading Visitor Attraction in 2019, 2020 & 2021. The museum takes your through a series of rooms detailing Irelands history particularly focusing on the immigration stories of real people through the years.? Over the centuries more than 10 million people emigrated from Ireland and here you can find out why they left, where they went and how they shaped the world.? She then headed headed to the world famous Temple Bar which is owned by U2 and enjoyed some live music and a couple of drinks and it wasn’t even 11am (it’s 5pm somewhere!).? This is just a few of the many exciting attractions on offer in the vibrant city of Dublin. Jacqui thoroughly enjoyed her trip and has put together a blog post detailing everything she experienced there. Keep an eye out for this in the new year on our website and social media!

We are now looking forward to what is set to be another busy and exciting year for us here at BOSH. Keep an eye on our social media and for next month’s newsletter to find out how we started off the new year! We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year with all the best for 2024.