Businesses from Dundee, Angus, Fife and Perthshire could use their culinary offerings to help grow the region’s tourism industry, a conference will hear today (11 March)
Up to 100 delegates and exhibitors will descend on Carnoustie Golf Hotel to attend the Dundee & Angus Tourism Conference, which this year will focus on the Year of Food and Drink.
It is estimated that £13.8m is spent on food and drink every year by visitors from Great Britain staying overnight in Dundee & Angus, with a third of visitors listing ‘trying local food’ among their most popular activities.
The region is home to some of Scotland’s best known products and food industries from Arbroath Smokies and Dundee cake to jam, soft fruits and most recently potato vodka.
Dundee’s dining scene has also enjoyed a major boost with the arrival of over 20 new outlets in the past year, providing an even greater choice for visitors.
With that in mind, the conference is aiming to equip businesses with the ingredients they need to cater for customers during 2015.
As well as speakers from VisitScotland highlighting the opportunities available during 2015, delegates will also hear from local success stories, Iain Stirling of Arbikie Highland Estate and Nikki Storrar of Ardross Farm Shop, among others, who will be discussing the importance of local produce and working with businesses to provide visitors with an authentic, quality food and drink experiences.
Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism Fergus Ewing, who will open the conference, said: “Dundee and Angus is embarking on an exciting tourism journey. From the arrival of the V&A Dundee to the refurbishment of the Waterfront, now is an important time for the region to consider how it uses its many strengths, like its food and drink, to attract visitors from both the UK and overseas. Food is an integral part of the tourism experience and the Year of Food and Drink provides the perfect opportunity to showcase the many excellent dining experiences on offer in Dundee and Angus. With visitors spending around a fifth of their holiday budget on eating and drinking, promoting our quality produce is a recipe for success.”
Jim Clarkson, VisitScotland Regional Partnerships Director, added:“Dundee and Angus is blessed with a rich natural larder as well as a diverse range of dining options, which makes it an ideal location for visitors keen to sample Scotland’s culinary delights. Businesses have a real opportunity to use 2015 and the Year of Food and Drink to grow the region’s tourism offering.
“We hope this event will provide some food for thought and inspire delegates to consider their culinary offering when trying to attract more visitors. With food and drink tourism worth an estimated £2.5m to the economy every day, there is a real financial incentive for businesses to take part.”
The Year of Food and Drink marks a 12-month celebration of Scotland’s natural larder - building upon momentum generated in 2014, increasing awareness of Scottish produce and enhancing Scotland’s global reputation as a land of food and drink.
Led by VisitScotland on behalf of the Scottish Government with support from Scotland Food & Drink, the Year of Food and Drink will raise awareness of the country’s restaurants, hotels, food and drink producers, B&Bs, cafes and visitor attractions.
With eating traditional dishes and local produce listed as the second top activity undertaken by visitors to Scotland, promoting food and drink has the potential to provide significant growth for tourism. Indeed, visitors are willing to pay up to 15% more for food that is of Scottish or regional origin.
The Dundee & Angus Tourism Conference is supported by Angus Council, Dundee City Council, VisitScotland and Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce.
For more information please visit: www.dundeeandanguschamber.co.uk
