Published on: Oct 31, 2018
The official launch of the Shetland Tourism Strategy for 2018-23 was held yesterday aboard the M.V Hjaltland, berthed in Lerwick.
The sell-out event welcomed 45 guests on board for a series of presentations relating to Shetland’s tourisn industry, and the Shetland Tourism Association. There was also time for all important networking and an excellent lunch provided by the vessels catering staff.
As organiser and host of the event, Emma Miller, owner of Realta Events Management, provided an overview of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for tourism businesses in Shetland. Giving an outline of the new strategy, she explained how the Shetland Tourism Association, of which she is Chairperson, will take the lead on the implementation and monitoring of the new strategy as it aims to increase tourism spend by £10 million to £33.5million by 2023.
45 people attended the event, including the local media who have delivered excellent coverage of this important initiative:
A second session in the afternoon saw another group of tourism-interested attendees come to Islesburgh Community Centre to hear about the new strategy and ask questions of the same panel from the morning session. This included representatives from Shetland Islands Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Shetland Tourism Association and VisitScotland (Lerwick and Glasgow offices)
The new strategy is now available to download here. Shetland Tourism Strategy
A new website will be developed shortly for the Shetland Tourism Association, and Emma would like to extend an invitation to any tourism operator to attend the AGM on Thursday 22nd November to find out more about becoming a member – Details to be announced soon.