VisitScotland attracting younger visitors in the next phase of Scotland is Calling campaign
EDINBURGH, Scotland, 2022-Mar-10 — /Travel PR News/ — A multi-million pound global marketing campaign is set to bolster the recovery of Scotland’s valuable tourism and events industry by encouraging younger visitors to make Scotland their top travel choice this year.
With 16-34 year olds expected to be among the first to travel this year, and global insights suggesting this age range will lead international travel market’s post-COVID revival, VisitScotland is focusing the next phase of Scotland is Calling on attracting younger visitors. It aims to ensure Scotland is at the front of mind with those who are yet to make their travel plans.
In 2019, Scotland welcomed 3.5 million overnight international visitors, which generated 43% of the total tourism spend that year. Figures over the same period show that visitors aged 16-34-year-old were worth an average of £1.5bn to the Scottish economy.
It is hoped attracting younger visitors back to Scotland will kickstart a meaningful recovery for the industry, which has been one of the greatest economic casualties of the pandemic. 2022 will mark, what is hoped to be, the first full year of trading for many tourism and event businesses. The £8.5million campaign, which launches during Scottish Tourism Month, is running in key markets such as America, France, Germany, and the UK. It will target people who are already thinking about their next holiday and includes partnerships with brands like National Geographic, Expedia, Facebook and NBC.
A specially-created video will draw on how it feels to visit Scotland by highlighting the country’s breath-taking scenery and unmissable experiences through the eyes of visitors. It is accompanied by an inspiring track covered by up and coming Fife-based singer Cameron Barnes. Research suggests overseas visitors stay longer and spend more, with their return seen as a critical milestone in the recovery of Scotland’s valuable tourism and events industry.
VisitScotland’s Scotland is Calling campaign is part of an international demand building programme. One of several tourism recovery proposals developed by the Scottish Tourism Emergency Response Group (STERG), funded by the Scottish Government, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. VisitScotland has also allocated additional budget towards activity in the UK to support a growing trend towards staycations.
Since its launch in 2021, the Scotland is Calling video has been viewed by over 40m potential visitors. In addition, traffic to visitscotland.com has increased by up to 70% from priority markets, and SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) searches for Scotland has risen by 16%.
Tourism Minister Ivan McKee said: “The Scottish Government is well aware of how heavily the tourism sector has been hit since the beginning of the pandemic and understands the role of the sector in our economic recovery as we start to see more international travellers coming to experience all that Scotland has to offer.
“The Scotland is Calling campaign will benefit every part of the tourism sector, in particular international inbound operators to rebuild after the challenges of COVID.”
Vicki Miller, VisitScotland Director of Marketing and Digital, said: “We understand the huge challenges the industry has faced, and continues to face. VisitScotland wants to kickstart the meaningful, sustainable and responsible recovery of Scottish tourism and the return of international visitors marks a crucial stage of that journey.
“This next phase of Scotland is Calling will help build new, deeper connections with visitors in our key markets, inspiring them to plan a trip to Scotland in the future. “We are focusing on audiences we know want to travel again and using the channels we know they use to help show how Scotland can fulfil their emotional needs. While younger visitors are expected to travel sooner, we recognise the importance of our core audience and continue to engage and inspire them about all that a visit to Scotland can offer.
“Working together with industry, stakeholders, and the Scottish Government we want to increase momentum and ensure that Scotland is the destination of choice for all visitors in 2022 and beyond. “
For more information visit: www.visitscotland.com
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 key objective is to contribute to Scotland Outlook 2030, the national tourism strategy ambition of pursuing a sustainable and responsible tourism agenda.
- This will be supported by five overarching strategies: Marketing, Events, Quality and Sustainability, Inclusive Tourism, International Engagement.
- 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).
- For VisitScotland’s press releases go to https://media.visitscotland.org, 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 http://www.visitscotland.com
- For information about business tourism in Scotland go to https://businessevents.visitscotland.com
Year of Stories 2022 (YS2022)
- Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022 will spotlight, celebrate and promote the wealth of stories inspired by, written, or created in Scotland.
- Led by VisitScotland, the Year of Stories 2022 will sustain and build upon the momentum of preceding Themed Years, showcasing a nationwide programme of major events and community celebrations.
- From icons of literature to local tales, Scotland’s Year of Stories encourages locals and visitors to experience a diversity of voices, take part in events and explore the places, people and cultures connected to all forms of our stories, past and present.
- Scotland’s Year of Stories will encourage responsible engagement and inclusive participation from the people of Scotland and our visito
- A marketing toolkit, featuring an industry guide, FAQs and the Year of Stories 2022 logo, is available on www.visitscotland.org to help businesses, organisations and the travel trade maximise the Themed Years opportunity.
- Join the conversation using #YS2022 and #TalesOfScotland.
- Following an industry consultation, Themed Years will take place every second year to enable more time for planning and collaboration. The next Themed Year will take place in 2024.
Contact:
Email: Ashley.Baxter@carat.com
Tel: +44 131 561 7973
Source: VisitScotland
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