BUSINESSES in Ayrshire and Arran are being urged to sign up for a major event aimed at boosting trade with the world. 

VisitScotland Connect is the national tourism organisation’s flagship travel trade event, connecting tourism businesses with tour operators and travel advisors across the world.  

Following the successes of previous events in the past two years, VisitScotland Connect returns to P&J Live in Aberdeen on April 9-10.

The event provides Scottish tourism businesses with an opportunity to showcase their products and services under one roof.

This year’s event was attended by 222 trade-ready Scottish tourism businesses, including accommodations, visitor experiences and attractions.

They connected with 257 tour operators and travel advisors representing 23 countries. More than 7,000 meetings took place at this year’s event.

A number of businesses from Ayrshire and Arran attended this year’s VisitScotland Connect including SimpsInns, Trump Turnberry, Galloway And Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere and Marine Hotel Troon.   

Lynsey Eckford, VisitScotland regional director, said: “I would encourage any trade-ready tourism businesses in Ayrshire and Arran to register for the event, which offers a targeted opportunity to connect them with the travel trade, helping to generate sales and new business opportunities."

To register for VisitScotland Connect, visit visitscotland.com/connect.