Tourism and events partner updates

9 minute read• Last updated: 9 July 2026

Keep up-to-date with news in the tourism and events industry. We’ll update these highlights regularly with key information and opportunities available to your business from our partners across the sector.

What every business needs to know

Discover key updates from the last 12 months.

Are you ready for employment and tax regulation changes in 2026?

First posted May 2026

As a result of major UK-wide reforms to employment law and the tax reporting system there will be a number of regulatory changes affecting Scottish businesses between 2026 and 2027.

Two key developments that will bring new requirements are:

Changes will impact staffing, payroll, record-keeping, and compliance practices.

Business Gateway have published an overview of the key changes, timelines of when they come into effect and recommended actions for businesses to take.

Find out more about the changes and how they may impact your business on the Business Gateway website.

Employment Rights Bill (now the Employment Rights Act 2025)
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD for ITSA)

VAT cuts for family experiences this summer

First posted May 2026

VAT will be reduced to 5% for family experiences this summer, the UK Government has announced on 21 May.

Visitor attractions and food & drink businesses that sell to families with children will be expected to pass on the saving of a VAT cut to 5% on ticket prices this summer.

The UK chancellor announced a temporary reduced VAT rate of 5% will apply from 25 June 2026 to 1 September 2026 (inclusive) and is intended to reduce the cost of selected activities and services for families with children during the summer holiday period.

The reduced rate applies to:

children’s meals
children’s cinema, theatre, show and concert tickets
admission to certain attractions

The reduced rate replaces the standard rate of VAT of 20% (where the criteria is met) and businesses will be expected to pass this onto your customers.

Businesses are likely to include:

restaurants, cafés and similar catering establishments
cinemas, theatres, exhibition and performance venues
museums and similar cultural attractions
operators of circuses, fairs, amusement parks, theme parks, adventure parks and water parks, zoos and other animal attractions, soft play centres, observation attractions and certain other family-focused attractions

More details can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Be aware – VisitScotland scam email

Some businesses have been in touch with us to flag scam emails claiming to be selling a VisitScotland distribution/member list.

We are not working with any other organisation to contact you on our behalf and our distribution/member list has not been made available to purchase.

Should you be contacted by a third party - or if you are unsure whether the person who has contacted you works for VisitScotland - please get in touch by emailing business.support@visitscotland.com and we'll confirm whether the communication is from us.

July updates

A view of the the large The Armadillo Hydro and SECC event buildings. — The Scottish Event Campus
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Commonwealth Games travel guidance – support for local businesses

With the 2026 Commonwealth Games taking place in Glasgow from 23 July-2 August, the city is preparing to welcome back visitors from across the globe.

The Games will bring increased demand to the city’s transport network, as well as changes to travel pattens and local access arrangements, especially during competition times and around event venues.

To help businesses prepare, the Commonwealth Games Business Readiness team has produced a Travel Demand Management (TDM) Business Information Pack.

The pack contains:

information on expected transport impacts during the Games
help understanding when and where disruption may occur
travel planning support for employees, visitors and suppliers

Find out more and download the TDM Business Information Pack from the Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2026 website.

Scottish Thistle Awards 2026 regional shortlist announced

Outstanding tourism businesses, events and individuals from across Scotland’s tourism industry are celebrating, having made the shortlist for this year's Scottish Thistle Awards regional finals, supported by headline sponsor Abbey: The Destination Experts.

From amazing community events and outdoor experiences to stunning accommodation and food and drink venues, not to mention exceptional individual talents, the shortlists really show off some of the very best from Scotland’s tourism and events sector.

The finalists will compete at regional ceremonies this September, with winners going forward to the Scottish Thistle Awards national final in November.

Find out more about regional shortlist finalists and the Scottish Thistle Awards 2026.

Browse our guidance on the benefits of winning awards.

Get the latest news from VisitAberdeenshire

VisitAberdeenshire’s industry newsletters are packed full of great information for tourism businesses across Aberdeenshire and the city of Aberdeen.

Included in the July edition are:

new visitor economy figures for the region
insights from the Spring 2026 Destination Delicious food and drink campaign
an opportunity for businesses to take part in The Norh-east Incentive Showcase

You can read about all these and more, as well as sign up for future editions of the newsletter on the VisitAberdeenshire website.

April-June updates

A uniformed waitress presents a menu — Peebles Hydro
© VisitScotland / Connor Mollison

June updates

UK Government Youth Guarantee – support for employers

If your business is looking for assistance with filling entry-level roles, apprentice programmes, or looking to invest in your workforce’s next generation, then why not check out the support available through the UK Government’s Youth Guarantee.

The Youth Guarantee is the government’s commitment to ensure that every young person aged 16 to 24 has the support and opportunities they need to get into work or education.

For employers this could potentially include:

grants and subsidies
funded apprenticeships
National Insurance contribution exemptions
training and work experience support
help finding and taking on new starters

Find out more about the Youth Guarantee and how to get involved on the Business.gov.uk website.

Scotland Loves Local – flying the flag for local businesses!

Scotland Loves Local Week is returning 13- 20 June and this year the theme is ‘Flying the Flag for Local Businesses’ encouraging people to ‘choose local’ and your business can get involved.

Organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership, Scotland Loves Local Week shines a light on the fantastic shops, restaurants, hotels and attractions in our local communities.

Your business can get involved by signing up to accept the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card. The card encourages people to spend locally and support businesses within their communities. Each prepaid Mastercard-based card is tied to a specific region and can be spent only in participating local businesses – keeping money circulating in the local economy. In short, it's great way to give your business and local High Street a much-needed boost.

Businesses can sign up free of charge to accept the card, provided they have a Mastercard-compatible payment terminal.

Learn more at the Scotland Loves Gift Card page.

Find about more about the campaign on the Scotland Loves Local website.

A lady is served plates of colourful looking food in a bar setting. — Bootleggers Bar and Grill, Elgin
© VisitScotland

Scottish Food & Drink month is back this September!

September sees the return of Scotland Food & Drink’s month-long celebration of the sector’s people, products and produce.

This year the campaign’s headline will be ‘Every Bite Tells a Story’ – turning the spotlight on the stories behind Scotland’s fantastic food and drink produce and the people who make it.

The campaign will showcase the variety and quality of Scottish produce, drive increased sourcing and sales across retail and foodservice channels, and champion producers and manufacturers.

Businesses can get involved by downloading the Scotland Food & Drink campaign toolkit containing logos and assets to use on your channels. You can also find inspiration with case studies from last year which showcase the innovation and creativity being demonstrated in the sector.

Find out more and download the toolkit from the Scotland Food & Drink website.

A new climate action tool opportunity – coming soon

Are you confused about where to start with reducing your business’s carbon emissions, or perhaps you’ve already begun your journey and are looking for the next steps to take?

To support tourism and event businesses at any stage of their sustainability journey, VisitScotland have partnered with TRACE by isla – a leading carbon measurement platform that helps businesses calculate and reduce their emissions.

TRACE provides real-time insights, reporting tools and emissions tracking, helping businesses identify hotspots and take practical action towards net zero.

The tool will be available for Scotland’s tourism and events sector, making it easier to take practical action on climate goals.

More details will be announced soon, but in the meantime sign up to our Business Support Hub monthly newsletter for the latest updates.

Climate Action Accelerator programme

TRACE will also be the measurement tool for our ongoing Climate Action Accelerator programme, delivered in partnership with Climate Springboard at the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute.

This free programme is designed to:

break down and understand jargon
navigate any potential legislation changes
apply for green grant applications and funding
develop a climate action plan
map out next steps for your business

The programme involves 3 short training sessions and a peer-to-peer learning session (online) over a six-week period. You will also get a 1-2-1 mentor session.

Find out more and register your interest in the autumn cohorts of the Climate Accelerator Programme.

May updates

Hear all about it with the Scottish Tourism Alliance

The Scottish Tourism Alliance’s latest newsletter is packed with important information for Scotland’s tourism industry.

Among the stories featured this month:

The appointment of Stephen Flynn MSP as the Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Tourism and Transport.
Details for the upcoming webinar: Profitable Growth in Scotland’s Hospitality & Accommodation Sector, which will feature expert speakers from across the industry. Sign up to the webinar.
Some key dates and timings for Scottish Tourism Month 2027, including the STA Signature Conference and Evening Reception on the 23 February.

You can sign up to the newsletter and find more industry news on the Scottish Tourism Alliance website.

Funded training opportunity at Dumfries and Galloway College

Are you an employer in the Dumfries and Galloway area looking to develop the skills of your team? If so, then you may be interested in an exciting fully funded training opportunity for the hospitality, leisure and tourism (HLT) sector, delivered by Dumfries and Galloway College and supported by the Holywood Trust.

The funding is available for employees aged 15-25 who are building a career within the HLT sector – this could be pre-apprenticeship roles or upskilling to support career progression within respective employment.

Training is offered across areas including kitchen skills, front of house, customer service, food hygiene and management and leadership development for those starting to take on more responsibility. The programmes are designed to help:

turn entry-level staff into confident, skilled team members
develop future supervisors, chefs, and managers
give employees a reason to stay and grow with their current employer
strengthen teams without adding to training budgets

More details about the programme and available courses can be found here: Hospitality Skills Programme.

Two hillwalkers and their dogs enjoy a walking trip up Creag Choinnich; a hill above the Braemar village. — Creag Choinnich, Cairngorms National Park
© VisitScotland / Jakub Iwanicki

Fire safety at the Cairngorm National Park – spread the word

From 1 April to 30 September each year, fires and barbecues are banned in the National Park under the Cairngorms National Park Fire Management Byelaw (2025). Breaking the byelaw could result in a fine of up to £500.

Businesses can help to raise awareness with a suite of materials, including digital assets for use on websites and social media, as well as a range of posters and stickers for displaying at your premises.

Find out more and get your free fire byelaw resources from the Cairngorms National Park website.

New agritourism ventures – learning opportunities

If you are interested in developing a new agritourism related product, why not register for one of the upcoming meetings being held as part of Scotland's Agritourism Monitor Farm Programme.

Funded by the Scottish Government, the programme is a three-year initiative to drive economic growth in the agritourism sector by supporting agritourism, rural tourism and food and drink businesses to invest and grow.

The programme is offering businesses the chance to find out more about developing, launching and marketing agritourism related ventures with a series of in-person meetings:

Down On The Farm, Roshearty 18 May
Hillhouse Farm Escapes, Lauder 26 May
Shore Hotel, Balintore 4 June

Find out more and register for upcoming meetings on the Scotland’s Agritourism Monitor Farm Programme website.

North-east Scotland Tourism Conference – save the date!

The North-east Scotland Tourism Conference returns on 4 November 2026, for what is sure to be another informative and inspiring day, offering businesses the opportunity to connect with others from across the region’s tourism and hospitality sector.

With over 200 tourism leaders, businesses and industry partners expected to attend, this a key date for north-east tourism businesses.

Programme details are still to be announced, but in the meantime sponsorship and exhibitor packages for the conference are available.

You can find out more and download sponsorship and exhibitor packages from the VisitAberdeenshire website.

Aberdeen city centre Shop Fit Kit scheme launched

Aberdeen City Council has announced its ‘Shop Fit Kit’ pilot to boost local economic activity by helping organisations temporarily use empty units and retail spaces in the city centre.

The pilot provides fixtures, fittings and other items on a no-cost, hire basis and is funded by the Scottish Government through the Place Based Investment Programme.

Any type of activity is eligible – retail, services, community activity and more, provided it attracts and brings people into the city centre.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 31 March 2027.

Find out more on the Aberdeen City Council website.

April updates

Applications open for 2026 Legacy Scholarship for Scottish chefs

Are you an ambitious chef looking for professional development, or perhaps your business has a standout chef as part of your team? Then the 2026 Legacy Scholarship from Scotland Food & Drink in partnership with HIT Scotland, represents a fantastic opportunity.

Launched in 2025 to celebrate the MICHELIN Guide Ceremony for Great Britain & Ireland taking place in Scotland for the first time, the scholarship saw inaugural winner Fraser Cameron, Head Chef at The Globe Inn, undertake a unique five-day stage at The Ritz London, led by Executive Chef John Williams MBE.

This year, the scholarship gives the winning chef the opportunity to learn from one of the world's leading hospitality settings, The Dorchester, in London, working under Culinary Director, Martyn Nail.

Applications are now open to chefs working in Scotland with at least five years’ full-time experience in a professional kitchen, with entries closing at midnight on Sunday 17 May 2026.

Find out more and apply on the HIT Scotland website.

Fishing boats in harbour at Stornoway Harbour — Stornoway Harbour
© VisitScotland

Take part in HIE’s Gaelic research

Are you a business, social enterprise, community group, or Gaelic organisation in Scotland currently using Gaelic in your day-to-day activities? If so, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) are calling on your help to take their Gaelic research survey.

The survey explores the importance of Gaelic language and culture to your business and the economic, social and community benefits of using Gaelic in business.

Your participation and insights will play a vital role in shaping policies and guiding investment decisions that support the language and the communities it relies on. They will also help inform decision‑making at national and local levels, ensuring that the future of Gaelic is informed by those who use it every day.

The survey is part of the recently launched ‘Ar Cànan Ar Cultar Ar Beartas (Our language Our Culture Our Prosperity) – new research designed to deepen understanding of the economic, social and cultural contribution of Gaelic across Scotland. The research has been commissioned by HIE in partnership with Scottish Government, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, VisitScotland and Skills Development Scotland.

This survey project is expected to end in September 2026.

Find out more and take the survey on HIE’s website.

Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards 2026 – entries close soon!

Entries for The Excellence Awards 2026 must be submitted by Wednesday 6 May 2026.

These awards give businesses the opportunity to showcase their products and celebrate the fantastic achievements of their teams.

For 2026, The Excellence Awards have a refreshed category offering, enhancing the opportunity for more Scottish food and drink businesses than ever to take part.

Award categories include the Food Tourism Business of the Year – recognising businesses that demonstrate excellence in delivering food or drink experiences.

Entries are £50 (+VAT) per entry for Scotland Food & Drink members (applicable tiers) and £80 (+VAT) per entry for non-members.

The awards will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Glasgow on Thursday, 24 September 2026.

Find out more and enter on the Scotland Food & Drink website.

January-March updates

March updates

Employing international workers – help is available

Scotland’s Migration Service (SMS) is a support service delivered by immigration law firm Seraphus and Citizens Advice Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government. It provides free, expert immigration advice to help Scottish organisations recruit global talent with confidence.

The service offers a variety of guides, tutorials and webinars on topics such as visa applications, sponsor licences and legislation compliance that can help employers navigate the complexities of the immigration system. They can also provide one-to-one sessions tailored to your business’s needs.

SMS have recently released two vodcasts featuring Scottish businesses that have benefitted from using the service.

View the Mercat Tours vodcast

View the Splatter Art vodcast

Find out more about the service and the resources they have to offer on the Scotland’s Migration Service website.

Be ‘All In’ for Glasgow 2026!

With the Commonwealth Games returning to Glasgow this July, communities across Scotland are being invited to get involved with the nationwide All In programme.

Community groups, schools, sports clubs, charities and local organisations, no matter where in Scotland, can take part – and it’s completely free to join.

All In provides the tools, branding and visibility to run inclusive activities that bring people together, build excitement and show their support for Scotland’s games.

Benefits of joining include:

Branding – organisations can utilise the All In brand name and logo in the promotion of their event, project or activation.
Assets – organisations will receive a digital activation toolkit containing All In logo files, brand guidelines, and digital templates.
Publicity and promotion – projects and activations will be promoted on list.co.uk. Some projects may be selected to feature in social media content.
Being part of the All In network – All In registered organisations will receive regular updates, be invited to networking events and workshops, and have access to additional development opportunities.

Find out more about the All In programme and register now on the Glasgow 2026 website.

An aril shot looking down over wick bay on a clear day. Boats are in the harbor. — Wick Bay
© VisitScotland / Liam Anderstrem

Join Venture North’s Tourism Gathering 2026

The Venture North Tourism Gathering is the region’s flagship annual event, bringing together businesses, community leaders, and partners who share a passion for promoting the north of Scotland as a world-class destination.

This full-day experience will offer attendees:

networking opportunities
inspiring speaker presentations
Q&A sessions exploring sector trends and opportunities

The event will take place at Mackays Hotel, Wick on Wednesday 25 March, from 9:30-3pm. Tickets are £25 (plus booking fee), however tickets for Venture North and North Highland Chamber of Commerce members are free.

Find out more and purchase your tickets

Spot the signs your hospitality business is being used for crime

With criminals using hotels, caravan parks, and other rental accommodation as a base to carry out serious crimes, it’s vital that hospitality staff know how to spot the signs and are confident in reporting their concerns to the owner, manager or local law enforcement.

Typical crime types may include:

County Lines drug gangs
grooming of children
modern slavery sex trade
shoplifting rings

The charity, Crimestoppers, are focused on making it easier for criminal activity to be spotted and reported. As part of their campaign against commercial sexual exploitation in Scotland, Crimestoppers have released information and resources specifically for the hospitality sector.

You can find information and download a brochure and poster, on how to recognise the signs of criminal activity and contact details for reporting your concerns.

Find out more on the Crimestoppers website.

A member of staff sorts an array of tasty local and organic produce at Comrie Croft. — Comrie Croft
© VisitScotland / Stephanie Gibson

Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards 2026 – entries open!

Entries for The Excellence Awards 2026 are now open, giving businesses the opportunity to showcase their products and celebrate the fantastic achievements of their teams.

For 2026, The Excellence Awards have a refreshed category offering, enhancing the opportunity for more Scottish food and drink businesses than ever to take part.

Award categories include the Food Tourism Business of the Year – recognising businesses that demonstrate excellence in delivering food or drink experiences.

Entries are £50 (+VAT) per entry for Scotland Food & Drink members (applicable tiers) and £80 (+VAT) per entry for non-members. Entries must be submitted by Wednesday 6 May 2026.

The awards will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Glasgow on Thursday, 24 September 2026.

Find out more and enter on the Scotland Food & Drink website.

Scottish Organic Market Report 2026 published

The Soil Association Certification, on behalf of the Scottish Government and Scotland Food & Drink, has released its Scottish Organic Market Report 2026.

Scotland’s organic sector is driven by consumer demand. The value of the organic market has grown 20.6% in five years, and more recent figures from NielsenIQ show the market in Scotland is now worth £155 million, growing nearly 3% in volume sales over the last year.

The Scottish Organic Market report highlights where Scottish producers can step up to meet demand, for vegetables, eggs, dairy, beef and lamb.

Read the Report | PDF 2MB

Scotland’s oldest purpose-built cinema in BAFTA award winning film

Scotland’s oldest purpose-built cinema, The Hippodrome in Bo’ness, plays a starring role in I Swear, the film based on the true story of Scottish Tourette’s Syndrome campaigner, John Davidson. The acclaimed drama recently won three awards at the 79th British Academy Film Awards.

While much of the film was shot in East Dunbartonshire, North Lanarkshire and Glasgow, a pivotal early scene was filmed at The Hippodrome. The 113-year-old cinematic landmark often described as Scotland’s first picture palace and a premier example of pre-Art Deco architecture.

Alison Stauss, Arts Development Officer (Film and Media) at Falkirk Council said:

“We were thrilled when the production team chose to film at The Hippodrome, its historic character made it the perfect setting for this key scene. To see Scotland’s oldest purpose-built cinema appear on screen in such a significant Scottish film, and now to share in its BAFTA success, is very special.”

Find out more on the value of screen and literature tourism to Scotland and how your business can get involved.

February updates

Check out the Business Gateway Support Tool

Business Gateway have refreshed their website and created one simple Business Support tool making it easier to find the general support and resources you need.

Whether you are just starting out or looking to take the next steps, the Business Support Tool helps you build a personalised dashboard, tailored to your business needs.

Get started with Business Gateway's Business Support Tool.

Have your say – Edinburgh Tourism Business Survey

The City of Edinburgh Council is inviting Edinburgh’s tourism businesses to take part in its latest survey.

This survey will provide the Council with vital feedback on business performance over the past year and expectations for 2026. Crucially, it’s also your chance to share your views on how the Council can continue to support Edinburgh’s tourism sector.

The survey is being carried out on behalf of the Council by the JRS Research Consortium, in full compliance with Market Research Society guidelines. Your responses will be treated in the strictest confidence and will not be attributed directly to you or your business.

The survey takes around 10 minutes to complete and will be open until Sunday 15 March 2026.

Take the survey

A night-time forest is lit with red atmospheric lighting. — The Enchanted Forest, Pitlochry
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

The Enchanted Forest Community Fund opens for 2026

The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, the charitable organisation behind The Enchanted Forest sound and light show, has opened applications for its 2026 Community Fund, inviting charities and community organisations (CICs) across Highland Perthshire to apply for vital funding.

Since launching in 2015, the Fund has reinvested more than £522,000 into the Highland Perthshire area, supporting over 185 local charities, community groups, projects and transforming the success of one of Scotland’s best-known cultural events into a lasting community legacy.

Applications are now open to registered charities and community interest companies (CICs) based or operating in Highland Perthshire with organisations able to apply for grants of up to £10,000 to support projects that make a tangible difference to people’s lives.

Completed applications must be submitted by 27 March 2026, with successful applicants announced on 30 April 2026.

Application forms are available to download at Enchanted Forest website.

Global Agritourism Conference – book now

Scottish Agritourism is looking forward to welcoming an anticipated 1000 delegates, from all over the world, for the inaugural Global Agritourism Conference three-day conference in Aberdeen.

A packed schedule will provide an opportunity for:

• inspiration from keynote speakers
• sharing learnings and experiences
• networking and business development
• new knowledge and insights about the sector from across the globe

The conference will be held on 23-25 June 2026 at P&J Live, Aberdeen.

Find out more and book your tickets on the Global Agritourism Conference website.

Be part of Edinburgh’s Resident Days initiative in 2026

Following on from the success of Residents Days in 2025, Forever Edinburgh are again calling on venues, attractions and experience providers to get involved in Resident Days, an opportunity for residents with an EH postcode to enjoy free or discounted access to local leisure and hospitality experiences on specific days.

Proposed Resident Days for 2026 are:

World Heritage Day (Saturday 18 April 2026)
World Tourism Day (Saturday 27 September 2026)
Silver Sunday (Sunday 4 October 2026)
World Children’s Day (Friday 20 November 2026)

You can choose to take part in one, some, or all; and as a participating partner, you will benefit from Forever Edinburgh’s supporting marketing campaign.

Find out more and get involved on the Forever Edinburgh website.

On a deserted sandy beach a man walks his dogs and the waves roll in — Cruden Bay
© North East 250 / Damian Shields

VisitAberdeenshire snap business survey

With spring just around the corner VisitAberdeenshire is gathering insights from local tourism businesses to help inform their plans and actions during the year ahead.

The survey is anonymous and should take 5-10 minutes to complete.

Businesses are asked to take the survey by Monday 16 February.

Take the survey

Get involved in #SpringCleanScotland

With a recent Keep Scotland Beautiful survey showing that 73% of people agree that litter damages the reputation of their local area among tourists, this is your annual opportunity for you and your business to join thousands of volunteers in a country-wide effort to clean up our environment.

Keep Scotland Beautiful’s #SpringCleanScotland 2026 runs from 13 March – 24 April 2026.

You can find information about events happening near you, contact details for hubs that can lend you equipment, and information on how to register your picks by visiting the Keep Scotland Beautiful website.

ETAG Business Briefing: Edinburgh’s Potential Among Scots in 2026

Join Edinburgh Tourism Action Group to hear from 56 Degree Insight, a leading travel and tourism research agency, on the latest travel habits of the Scottish market.

Gain valuable insights into the Scottish travel market’s preferences, behaviours, and needs, to make informed decisions on your marketing and offering.

This online event will take place on Wednesday 25 February, 11:30am-12:30pm.

Find out more and book your place on the ETAG website.

Tay Country Tourism Conference

Join tourism and hospitality professionals from across Tayside and Fife for this key event, designed to inspire collaboration, share insights, and drive sustainable growth across the region’s tourism industry.

The conference is jointly delivered between VisitScotland and four local authority areas – Angus, Dundee, Fife, and Perth and Kinross.

A packed agenda will include:

insights from industry leaders, including Vicki Miller, CEO of VisitScotland
expert speakers on topics such as artificial intelligence and inclusive tourism
presentations from innovative local businesses
networking opportunities

Whether you're new to the tourism sector or an established operator, this is your chance to connect, learn, and shape the future of Tay Country tourism.

The conference will take place on Tuesday, 3 March, 9:30-15:00, at the Apex City Quay Hotel in Dundee. Tickets cost £30 (plus £3 booking fee).

Find out more and register at the Dundee City Region Convention Bureau website.

Exterior shot of the Perth Concert Hall lit up by atmospheric lighting at night — Perth Concert Hall
© Perth Theatre and Concert Hall

Showcasing Scotland Regional

Formally known as Sourcing Scotland, Showcasing Scotland Regional, is a national event designed by Scotland Food & Drink.

The aim of the event is to grow sales of Scottish produce by bringing together buyers and suppliers from across Scotland to do business across the retail, wholesale, hospitality, and independent sectors.

The day will offer

1-2-1 meetings
an open marketplace
a networking lunch

This event will take place at Perth Concert Hall 30 April.

Supplier applications must be received by 5pm on 18 February.

Find more details on the Showcasing Scotland Regional website.

Calling on the Scottish food and drink sector

The Scotland Food & Drink Partnership is enhancing the support available to businesses within the sector that are seeking funding.

As part of this, they are keen to hear from those who are currently exploring, or intend to pursue, funding opportunities within the next 12 months.

To help understand the sector’s unique funding requirements they ask that you complete a short survey. Responses will allow the development of relevant support, the sharing of suitable funding opportunities, and facilitate connections with appropriate programmes, partners or resources.

Complete the survey

January updates

CyberScotland Week is back

CyberScotland Week returns for its eighth year from 23 - 28 February 2026 and organisations, businesses and community groups across Scotland can get involved by hosting an event or activity.

The 2026 theme continues last year’s focus on “Can’t Hack it?!” highlighting how everyone in Scotland can take simple, practical steps to stay safer online. From individuals and families to small businesses and large organisations, the message is clear: improving cyber resilience does not have to be complicated, but it does require awareness and action.

Businesses can get involved by hosting an event – you could host a panel session, workshop, webinar, coffee morning or drop-in session, and play your part in helping everyone in Scotland stay safe online.

Find out more and register your event on the CyberScotland Week website.

The sun is setting behind the large Finnieston Crane as we look down the river to the Clyde Arc — The Finnieston Crane and Clyde Arc on The River Clyde
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Scotland's Marine Tourism Conference

Sail Scotland have announced details of their annual conference.

Part of the national Scottish Tourism Month Programme and proudly supported by VisitScotland, this annual full day industry event is specifically for the marine tourism sector and is a unique opportunity for the whole industry, not just Sail Scotland members, to come together, learn, and network with others.

There is a packed programme lined up, with engaging content including discussions and sessions with a focus on:

strategic importance of marine tourism and sustainable and responsible consumer behaviour
the importance of continued investment in marketing, infrastructure and product development

The conference will be held in Glasgow on the 25 February. Book now and take advantage of the early bird discount using the code SS-EARLY10.

Find more details and book your ticket now.

VisitAberdeenshire launch updated visitor site and more

With a completely redesigned layout to improve user experience and create seamless journeys, the visitabdn.com site aims to inspire visitors from the planning stage through to the moment they leave.

Local businesses can benefit from greater visibility and stronger promotion of experiences, events and offerings helping to drive engagement, bookings and footfall.

Alongside the main visitor site, VisitAberdeenshire have also launched a new Content Hub, Business Community (industry site), Travel Trade and Aberdeen Convention Bureau websites, making it easier than ever to access information and resources.

Fife success at the ‘Washroom Oscars’

Fife Coast and Countryside Trust were celebrating as their public toilets made a clean sweep at the Loo of the Year 2025 awards

The Trust’s loos were declared the top local authority toilets in Scotland. FCCT’s in-house cleaning team were named Scotland’s best, while the toilets at Craigmead in the Lomond Hills took the award for leading eco-friendly toilets.

The Loo of the Year awards recognise standards in ‘away from home’ washrooms, with over sixty awards across categories including hospitality, leisure, heritage and entertainment venues.

Find out more, including how to enter your toilets for the 2026 awards, on the Loo of the Year website.

2025 updates

Browse some of the key updates from partners that we featured in 2025.

December updates

Climate Springboard – kick-start your net zero journey with HIE

Highland and Islands Enterprise are inviting small and medium sized businesses from across the region to apply for their Climate Springboard programme.

This is a free six-week support programme being run on behalf of HIE by Edinburgh Climate Change Institute, to help you understand, plan, and act on climate change.

You’ll finish the programme with:

a compliant carbon footprint
a clear, achievable net zero action plan
a tailored to-do list of quick wins to lower emissions and costs
a resource pack containing step-by-step guides
access to a growing network of over 275 organisations on similar journeys

Find out more and apply for the programme on the HIE website.

The winners of the Scottish Thistle Awards 2025 pose proudly on stage with their awards — Scottish Thistle Awards 2025
© VisitScotland

November updates

Scottish Thistle Awards – the winners are crowned!

The excellence and innovation of Scotland’s tourism industry was celebrated at the Scottish Thistle Awards final on Thursday 20 November.

An amazing evening saw outstanding businesses, events and individuals from across the country recognised and the award winners announced.

Find out about the winners from across all the award categories.

Tay Country Toolkit for group operators

If you are a coach operator or group organiser planning a visit to Tay Country, then check out Scotland’s Tay Country Group Operator Toolkit.

This free resource offers insights and practical guidance for planning group experiences in Angus, Fife, Perthshire, and the city of Dundee.

The toolkit includes:

coach friendly destinations
parking and driver facility locations
group friendly attractions and accommodation
seasonality and event information
key contacts and resources

Find out more and download the toolkit from the Scotland’s Tay County website.

AI Adoption support for SMEs

As part of the National AI Adoption Programme, funded by The Scottish Government, The Data Lab is delivering fully funded support to help Scottish SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) and social enterprises explore how AI can improve productivity, drive innovation, and support sustainable growth.

Support opportunities include:

courses, practical workshops and events
hands-on AI project support
grant support for using AI in your business

The programme will run until 31 March 2026.

Find out more about the AI support available to you on The Data Lab website.

Back Burn restoration project at Coul Den

A major restoration project led by Fife Coast and Countryside Trust (FCCT) has returned a 700-metre section of the Back Burn at Coul Den reservoir, Glenrothes, to its natural course, improving biodiversity and enhancing access for local communities.

Working with Fife Council and SEPA, the project has removed old man-made structures and created a more natural channel with rock ramps, step pools and new planting to support fish and habitat recovery. Footpaths have been improved, with a new bridge and boardwalk allowing the burn to flow naturally while maintaining access.

This work forms part of a wider programme that will ultimately restore 5.8km of watercourses, with further restoration on the Back Burn through Balbirnie Estate scheduled for 2026.

This project is a strong example of responsible tourism in action. It shows how restoring natural habitats and improving access can benefit visitors, communities and the environment. It’s a useful model for:

enhancing biodiversity
improving visitor experiences
supporting community wellbeing
delivering sustainability through partnership

Find out more about the Back Burn River Restoration Project on the FCCT website.

A cheerful assistant serves a customer — Lagg Distillery
© VisitScotland / Allan Myles

October updates

Help empower Scotland’s young talent with Career Ready

Join over 300 organisations across Scotland already working with Career Ready to connect with and inspire young people – while gaining real business value.

By providing a mentor and a paid summer 2026 internship, your organisation can:

open doors for young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds
invest in Scotland’s future workforce by building skills and confidence
grow your own team through meaningful mentoring experiences
showcase your organisation and the variety of careers it offers

A small commitment can make a big difference with 98.6% of Career Ready students go on to positive post-school destinations. There is a particular demand for mentors in Dundee this year.

Find out more including information on how to apply on the Career Ready website.

August updates

Edinburgh Visitor Levy – accommodation guidance

Understand your responsibilities as an accommodation provider under Edinburgh’s Visitor Levy scheme, with newly published guidance from the City of Edinburgh Council’s visitor levy team.

Find out more and read the information on the City of Edinburgh Council's website.

July updates

Caravan park security awareness

In light of increased caravan thefts in recent weeks, Police Scotland are reminding camping and caravan parks to be vigilant this summer and consider the security measures they have in place.

Find information and top tips on caravan security on the Secured by Design website.

Scotland’s berries

Scotland Food & Drink have launched a new Berries of Scotland campaign to raise awareness of the heritage and importance of our berry sector. The campaign runs for four months and there is a toolkit available with assets including logos, leaflets, banners and social media imagery.

Find out more about the Berries of Scotland campaign and download the toolkit.

Three people in a loch.They are enjoying themselves and are attached to flotation devices. — Enjoying Scotland's waters safely
© VisitScotland / Luigi Di Pasquale

June updates

Water safety - raising awareness amongst your customers

Water Safety Scotland are calling upon tourism businesses and events to raise awareness of the risks around water.

Scotland is renowned for its beaches, shorelines, lochs and rivers, and while they are beautiful places to enjoy, they can present very real dangers.

Download a Water Safety Code poster from Water Safety Scotland to display in public customer areas, eg in bedrooms as part of guest information packs, or on notice boards or display counters.

The poster is free and available in English, Chinese, French, German, Gaelic, Polish, Punjabi and Ukrainian.

Print or download a copy from the Water Safety Scotland website and help make sure our visitors enjoy Scotland’s waters safely.

Regional Food Fund – successful applicants announced

Covering a range of food and drink initiatives across Scotland, successful applicants to the Regional Food Fund are set to benefit from grants of up to £5,000 in 2025/26.

Delivered by the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership and supported by the Scottish Government, the Regional Food Fund aims to provide support for small-scale regional and collaborative projects across the country.

The latest funding recipients include a food and drink festival in the Outer Hebrides, a virtual farmers’ market for Argyll & The Isles and the promotion of Scotland’s artisanal cheeses.

Find out more about the Regional Food Fund 2025/26 projects.

Tips from Police Scotland

Police Scotland has a host of advice and information related to scams and fraud which may assist you in identifying false approaches:

be on guard if someone turns up unexpectedly
don’t assume it’s real – professional-looking websites, adverts or social media posts don’t always mean that an opportunity is genuine
criminals can use the names of well-known brands or individuals to make their scams appear legitimate
don’t be rushed or pressured into making a decision – a genuine organisation won’t force you to part with your money
avoid uninvited investment offers, especially those over cold calls

Find more advice for businesses at the Police Scotland website.

Remind your visitors to drive on the left.
© VisitScotland / Cutmedia

May updates

New visitor marketing campaign for Edinburgh

The City of Edinburgh Council’s destination marketing team Forever Edinburgh have launched their new visitor marketing campaign for the city.

Stay Different will promote longer stays, off-peak and winter visits, as well as the lesser known attractions of Edinburgh.

This is a three year campaign aiming to support a more balanced and sustainable visitor economy by focusing on getting visitors to experience Edinburgh in a mindful and sustainable way.

A Stay Different microsite went live on Wednesday, 28th June 2025: www.edinburgh.org/staydifferent

USA tariffs guidance

With the recent introduction of trade tariffs, Find Business Support have put together a variety of resources to help Scottish businesses prepare and respond to the challenges created by these changes. They have also collated official news and updates on the subject.

Find useful resources and updates on USA trade tariffs on Find Business Support.

Drive on the Left – road safety campaign

With the peak tourist season approaching the Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland have once again launched their ‘Drive on the Left’ campaign to remind visitors of the need to drive on the left on Scotland’s roads.

Businesses can help deliver the message to visitors by distributing a range of ‘Drive on the Left’ campaign materials, including:

wristbands
leaflets / posters with QR codes
videos

Drive on the Left campaign assets are available from Road Safety Scotland.

Get ready for the European Accessibility Act

From 28 June 2025 the Euopean Accessibility Act (EAA) will apply for any business that trades in the EU, including UK based organisations providing products and services to consumers in the EU.

It applies to any business with at least 10 staff and a turnover above €2 million.

It’s aim is to ensure people with disabilities have equal access to products and services, including those sold online. It could for example, apply to a tourism business selling accommodation on their website, or the online sale of tickets for a visitor experience.

Find information on preparing for the EAA on the Business Disability Forum, or take a look at AbilityNet's free five-step EAA-Readiness Guide.

Lyme Disease Awareness Month

Resources are available to help you spread the word to your customers throughout May, which is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. Materials highlight the preventative measures that can be taken to avoid tick bites and provide advice on what to do if bitten.

Find a range of stakeholder assets on lyme disease for your marketing channels from the Scottish Government.

Scottish Enterprise launch a new export assessment tool

The Scottish Enterprise export assessment tool is aimed at Scottish businesses that are completely new to exporting, or those already exporting that want to target new markets, export new products, or make changes to their approach. The tool is available online and it’s completely free to use.

It takes less than 10 minutes to complete and provides a detailed export progress report of where the business is in their export journey, what the next steps should be, and what support is available to them.

Find out more about Scottish Enterprise’s digital export assessment tool.

A woman standing and a woman in a wheelchair look at a museum exhibit. — National Museum of Scotland
© VisitScotland / Peter Dibdin

April updates

New quality scheme

ASVA’s new quality scheme is now open to all attractions, activities and experience providers with prices starting from £250. The scheme is not-for-profit and owned and overseen by the businesses themselves, so its tailored specifically to your needs. There is also specific training and services to support the scheme. Any business can sign up but there are additional benefits for ASVA members.

Find out more on ASVA's quality scheme.

Edinburgh launches new accessibility guide for the city

Forever Edinburgh has launched the Edinburgh: Accessible Highlights Guide in partnership with award-winning Edinburgh-based disabled access charity, Euan’s Guide.

The guide highlights leading attractions, experiences and events across the city that are providing facilities, products and services for those with accessibility requirements.

If your business or event is interested in featuring in future editions of the guide, then please email Forever Edinburgh to find out more.

Wildfire advice

Everyone is advised to be aware of a wildfire risk this spring in Scotland. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have created a toolkit to help you share this key message with your customers in-person and through your marketing materials.

Wildfire Campaign Toolkit 2025

Martyn’s Law

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (also known as Martyn’s Law) received Royal Assent on Thursday 3 April. It will introduce new regulations to ensure venues and events are better prepared, protected and ready to respond in the event of a future terrorist attack. There will be an implementation period of at least 24 months before the act comes into force.

UK Government website factsheet

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