Scotland Food & Drink has announced the finalists for its pioneering Bookable Food and Drink Experiences training programme, designed to enhance the visibility and accessibility of Scottish culinary experiences for tourists.
The initiative, which aims to address the challenges faced by Scottish producers in making their offerings more discoverable and bookable, has garnered overwhelming interest from the industry.
Programme Highlights
The pilot programme, initially seeking 50 participants, has been met with enthusiasm that far exceeded expectations, underscoring the growing recognition among Scotland’s food and drink businesses of tourism’s vital role in their growth
Selected businesses will benefit from:
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- Tailored workshops and expert-led training
- Networking opportunities
- One-on-one mentoring
These resources are aimed at refining tourist offerings and improving their accessibility.
The inaugural cohort represents a diverse cross-section of Scotland’s food and drink landscape, including:
- Mull Coffee Roastery
- Arbikie Distillery
- Buffalo Farm
Programme Details
Led by Scotland Food & Drink in collaboration with VisitScotland, the Scottish Government, and the Scottish Tourism Alliance, the programme is set to run from August 2024 to March 2025.
It builds on insights from the Scotland Visitor Survey 2023, which revealed that 46% of visitors engage in food and drink activities during their stay, with 19% of long-haul travellers choosing Scotland specifically for its culinary offerings.
This initiative marks a significant step in positioning Scotland as a premier food tourism destination, capitalising on the country’s thriving tourism sector and unique culinary landscape.
Fiona Richmond, Head of Regional Food at Scotland Food & Drink, commented: “We are absolutely thrilled with the overwhelming response from businesses across Scotland.
“The level of interest truly highlights how integral food and drink tourism is to the future of our local businesses.
“This programme is designed to provide them with the tools, training, and confidence to enhance their offerings, reach new audiences, and help build Scotland’s reputation as a must-visit destination for food and drink lovers.”
Speaking on the value of the programme, Sally Swinbanks from Tobermory Fish, added: “This is an invaluable opportunity for us to not only develop our offerings but also to connect with like-minded businesses and share ideas.
“As Scotland continues to grow as a tourism hotspot, both domestically and internationally, it’s crucial that we understand how to tailor our services to meet the needs and expectations of visitors, particularly in the food and drink sector.”
For more information, please visit Scotland Food & Drink
