How to create business listings

visitscotland.com

From the start of the next year, we’ll introduce a new map feature powered by Google Maps Platform. This will allow customers to discover tourism businesses and points of interest across Scotland using text search, intuitive category filters, and interactive map tools.

Visitors can continue exploring in Google Maps or navigate directly to business websites or booking platforms. This change responds directly to visitor needs and will see our current listings and product search retired, which includes the accommodation availability search.

In future, the majority of tourism business information will be obtained from external sources, including Google. Businesses with Google Business Profiles will no longer need to maintain separate business listings on visitscotland.com, saving time and simplifying updates.

Google Business Profile

A Google Business Profile listing is free and ensures your business appears prominently in Google Search and Maps.

Find out more about eligibility, how to set up a listing, and how to keep it up-to-date in our Google Business Profile guide.

Existing visitscotland.com listings

Businesses with existing DMS listings can be managed until 21 January 2026 through the VisitScotland extranet.

Tour listings

Designed with help from Scottish tour providers, we have a dedicated system that allows you to create multiple tours. You can add special features to these, such as destinations, starting points and transport types.

Find out more and sign up for a tour listing with our tour management system guide. 

Event listings

If you have an event that is likely to appeal to visitors that you’d like to promote, then why not feature it on visitscotland.com – it’s completely free.

The site is seen by 22 million visitors a year and available in multiple languages meaning it’s a great way to increase an upcoming event’s exposure to visitors to your area.

Submit your event for visitscotland.com.

Online travel agents (OTAs) 

OTAs are companies who offer a range of travel products and packages including accommodation, tours, attractions and activities.

Popular accommodation OTAs include:

• Booking.com 
• Expedia 

Popluar experience OTAs include:

• GetYourGuide
• Viator

For more information on working with OTAs.

Tripadvisor

With 490 million average monthly users, Tripadvisor aggregates information and reviews on attractions and businesses.

Check whether there is already a listing for your business and claim it as soon as possible – a listing is created when a customer leaves a review. Tripadvisor only allows one listing per property, so you should always claim the existing listing.

• Follow the steps to claim ownership of your Tripadvisor business listing.
• If your business does not appear on Tripadvisor yet, you can follow the steps to create a Tripadvisor listing.
• Tripadvisor does not have direct listings for accommodation that are for exclusive holiday rental (eg self-catering).

Local Destination Management Organisations (DMOs)

Many regions, such as the Highlands or Aberdeenshire, have their own DMOs like VisitCairngorms, VisitAberdeenshire or Scotland Starts Here, often featuring dedicated business listings, event calendars, and social media promotions.

Accessible tourism sites

If you've been working on the accessibility and inclusivity of your business, highlight this by listing on dedicated platforms such as Euan’s Guide. This shows a commitment to responsible and accessible tourism, appealing to visitors with specific needs. Other accessibility directories include AccessAble and Tourism For All.

Sector associations and groups

Some sector associations have their own websites and members can list their business – examples include Museums Galleries Scotland and Scotland’s Best B&Bs.

Find out more about sector partners.