- Seafari Adventures joins VisitScotland Information Partners network
EDINBURGH, Scotland, 2018-Jan-10 — /Travel PR News/ — Oban’s original five-star marine wildlife tour company is on board with VisitScotland’s innovative approach to information provision.
Seafari Adventures, based in Easdale, has become part of an impressive network of VisitScotland Information Partners (VIPs) committed to providing local information to visitors.
Established by Tony and Jess Hill in 1999, the adventure business takes its patrons out onto the Firth of Lorne to experience Scotland’s wildlife and nature in a fun and exhilarating way. On board Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boats, built at the company’s dedicated workshop, visitors can expect to see porpoise, seals, sea eagles and deer with the possibility of dolphins, minke whales. All tours pass through the Gulf of Corryvreckan, home of the world’s third largest whirlpool.
Following an assessment last year the company received VisitScotland’s top Quality Assurance award in recognition of the exceptional standard of the visitor experience it offers. Along with Sealife Adventures, Mull Eagle Watch and Jenny Wren Boat Charter, it is one of four five-star Wildlife Experiences in Argyll and the Isles.
Having always been strong advocates for the area, it made perfect sense for the business to get involved with VisitScotland’s exciting approach to information provision. The new official accreditation will add value to the service they offer and make it easier than ever before for visitors to connect with local businesses.
As part of this partnership, and improving their visitor experience, the company has recently invested in larger buildings which will include a local exhibition area and full tourist information in this remote corner of the west coast.
Launched in May 2016, the VIP programme ties in with the national tourism organisation’s global Spirit of Scotland campaign and harnesses the local knowledge, warmth and enthusiasm of partners across the country to help visitors receive the warmest of welcomes and make the most of their trip to Scotland.
It has been very popular in Argyll and the Isles with accommodation providers, visitor attractions and social enterprises all joining up to do their bit to ensure visitors receive first-class information about the region and Scotland as a whole. Seafari Adventures is joined by 109 other businesses in the area such as Cruachan Visitor Centre in Loch Awe and Knockderry House Hotel in Helensburgh.
Tony Hill, Co-founder of Seafari Adventures, said: “We are delighted to be a VisitScotland Information Partner. We are very privileged to live in one of the most beautiful parts of the world and see it as our responsibility to help visitors experience the delights and wonders of Argyll and the Isles. Joining this programme will ensure we are providing this service to the highest standard.”
David Adams McGilp, Regional Director for VisitScotland, said: “Seafari Adventures are an outstanding business offering world-class adventures in beautiful surroundings. It’s fantastic to hear they are doing their bit to give visitors information about the area. They are an excellent addition to the impressive network of VIPs in the region.
“The VIP programme celebrates and supports tourism providers as they act as local ambassadors and help provide information, assistance and advice on all there is to see and do here. This follows a growing trend among consumers to use online resources to plan their trips and we now have partners throughout the country providing high quality information and advice to visitors with whom they interact.”
The programme forms part of VisitScotland’s focus on information which also includes a global online community to allow Scots and those who love Scotland to bring alive the streets, characters and landscapes of our country.
The scheme is open to all Quality Assured businesses, as well as community groups, local authority-operated library services and social enterprises. VisitScotland provides the partner sites with official signage and collateral, promotional material and information resources to make sure visitors receive an excellent standard of information about the area and the rest of Scotland. For more information, visit www.visitscotland.org.
To find out more about Seafari Adventures, visit www.seafari.co.uk/oban
To find out more about the VisitScotland online community, visit: www.visitscotland.com/community
Notes to Editors
- Follow us on twitter: @visitscotnews
- VisitScotland is Scotland’s national tourism organisation. Its core purpose is to maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland.
- The organisation’s core objective is to contribute to the Tourism 2020 Strategy ambition of growing tourism revenues by £1 billion by 2020.
- This will be supported by five overarching strategies: Marketing, Events, Quality and Sustainability, Inclusive Tourism, International Engagement.
- The organisation employs 700 people and has offices and VisitScotland Information Centres across Scotland.
- Spending by tourists in Scotland generates around £12 billion of economic activity in the wider Scottish supply chain and contributes around £6 billion to Scottish GDP (in basic prices). This represents about 5% of total Scottish GDP
- For VisitScotland’s press releases go to http://www.visitscotland.org/media_centre.aspx, tourism statistics and frequently asked questions go to http://www.visitscotland.org/
- Where possible, a Gaelic speaker will be made available for broadcast interviews on request (Far an tèid iarraidh, agus far am bheil sin nar comas, bruidhinnidh neach le Gàidhlig aig agallamh)
- For holiday information on Scotland go to www.visitscotland.com
- For information about business tourism in Scotland go to www.conventionscotland.com
2018 Year of Young People
- The Year of Young People 2018 will be the next of the Scottish Government’s series of themed years, following the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017.
- The Year of Young People (YoYP 2018) will inspire Scotland through its young people aged 8 to 26, celebrating their achievements, valuing their contributions to communities and creating new opportunities for them to shine locally, nationally and globally
- Central to YoYP 2018 will be a celebratory events programme that puts young people at the heart of its development and delivery, creating new and valuable experiences for young Scots and the wider public, with links to the inaugural 2018 European Championships.
- Over 200 young people throughout Scotland are currently being recruited to become YoYP 2018 Ambassadors. Ambassadors will ensure that people and organisations in their communities know about what’s happening and will lead on projects and activities to create events and opportunities to celebrate young people.
- The Year of Young People will have six themes which were developed in co-production with young people themselves:
- oParticipation – looking at how young people can influence public services and decisions which affect their lives
- oEducation – creating a stronger role for young people in shaping their learning
- oHealth and Wellbeing – supporting young people to lead healthier, active lives and have opportunities to learn about and improve their mental health and resilience
- oEquality and Discrimination – broadcasting the value of young Scots, challenging negative perceptions of young people, and supporting young people to take leading roles in challenging discrimination in all its forms.
- oEnterprise and regeneration – celebrating young people’s role in innovation, entrepreneurship and the Scottish economy as well as making Scotland a greener and more pleasant place to live
- oCulture – celebrating young people’s talent and contribution to Scottish culture and arts.
- Further information on what’s happening and how people can get involved can be found on the new website www.yoyp2018.scot or @YOYP2018 on Twitter.
Contact:
Grant Anderson
Corporate Press Officer – Regional
Glasgow, Edinburgh, Fife, Argyll and the Isles, Falkirk, Stirlingshire
grant.anderson@visitscotland.com
0131 472 2416
Out of hours – 0131 472 2324
Source: Visit Scotland
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