Welcomematoutfor morebusinesstourists
Renewed efforts are underway to increase the number of business tourists visiting Stirling.
Destination Stirling say a pilot programme to attract the business traveller, which ran last year, was thought to have generated an additional 2000 ‘bed nights’ in the area.
The tourism body are keen to build on that and have produced a video which features William Wallace, Robert The Bruce and other notable figures from Stirling’s history .
Officials hope it will attract to the city organisations wishing to hold conferences, events and meetings.
There is also a one-stop-shop and enquiries service on the Destination Stirling website which allows businesses to identify the ideal location for their event and find out everything they need about accommodation, and transport.
Special incentives and benefits, such as a Stirling ‘passport’ giving discounts for visitors at shops, restaurants and attractions are also to be offered.
Organisations seeking a conference venue will be given the chance to hold their gatherings in places where major historic events have taken place, or stage receptions, meetings and dinners in locations where Scottish kings, queens, nobles and other famous figures once lived, wined and dined and did battle.
Businesses will also be able to tie their meetings to the anniversaries of major events or people from Scotland’s past.
Destination Stirling manager Geoff Morrison said: “Business tourism is increasingly about quality and authenticity of experience and that’s what we have in abundance.
“A great deal of capital investment is taking place, which means we have excellent facilities and infrastructure.
“And our new one-stop-shop lets people find everything they need.”
Paul Waterson, owner of the Golden Lion Hotel, said: “In recent years we have seen the city and various agencies work hard to promote Stirling, and that gives businesses like mine the confidence to invest.
“Improvements at the castle and the Wallace Monument plus the new Bannockburn Visitor Centre are all bringing a real increase in the amount of business trade we are attracting. And the nationwide campaign by Destination Stirling is really moving things up a gear.”
Liam Spillane, director of commercial services at the University of Stirling said: “As the largest provider of accommodation in Central Scotland, with over 2,000 bedrooms available during the summer months, and the Stirling Court Hotel open 365 days a year, we attract an international audience for both business and leisure use.”