VisitDundee, a new tourism venture for Dundee and Angus, received the public endorsement of the Scottish Government yesterday as Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop launched the 2018 Dundee & Angus Tourism Conference.
Ms Hyslop, the keynote speaker at the conference, said she welcomed the establishment of VisitDundee and its plan to harness increased tourism activity in Dundee to make sure it benefits the whole city.
"The idea behind VisitDundee is to turn visitors to the V&A into overnight stays and short breaks. This new partnership between the public and private sectors will help to maximise the many opportunities that lie ahead for Dundee," said Ms Hsylop.
Opening the conference, Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce CEO Alison Henderson also gave the venture a thumbs-up, calling tourism "a'body's business" - a phrase coined by VisitDundee as it launched this week.
VisitDundee, formed by a group of private businesses and individuals, aims to turn the city's increase in tourist footfall and turn it into short stays in the city. The idea is to spread the economic impact to bed nights, meals, transport, retail and visitor attractions - and to benefit the whole city and surrounding area.
VisitDundee's pledge to make tourism "a'body's business" is a fun poke at the catchprase of Dundee's favourite cartoon character, Oor Wullie.
Paul Jennings, Chairman of the newly formed VisitDundee board and executive director of Dundee Heritage Trust, said:
"It's hugely exciting to have such widespread backing and support, not only from the business community, VisitScotland and Scottish Enterprise, but also from Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop.
"With VisitDundee we want to take the hundreds of thousands of tourists who are set to visit the city and encourage them to stick around, exploring Dundee and using our restaurants, cafes, accommodation and visitor attractions. We want the knock-on effect of Dundee's new economic chapter to be felt throughout the whole city and region."
VisitDundee has the support of Dundee Heritage Trust, DCA, Dundee Rep, accountancy firm Henderson Loggie, Dundee City Councillor Lynne Short, Leisure and Culture Dundee, Volpa, MTC Media, and Insights Learning & Development. Its early financial backers include law firm Thorntons, Dundee & Angus Visitor Accommodation Association (DAVAA) and James Keiller Estates.
VisitScotland, Henderson Loggie, Thorntons Law, MTC Media, Volpa, Insights Learning & Development and professional videographer Dylan Drummond have lent their support and pro bono work to VisitDundee and to creating its website, visitdundee.com.
For more information go to www.visitdundee.com
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