Robert Gordon University’s (RGU) tourism expert Andrew Martin is setting sail to Shetland to raise the profile of Aberdeen city and shire on the island.
Mr Martin, Director of the Scottish Centre of Tourism (SCoT) based at RGU’s Aberdeen Business School, has joined forces with the Aberdeen City and Shire Hotel Association (ACSHA) for this initiative.
Together with partners VisitAberdeenshire and VisitScotland, they want to promote links between the north-east and Shetland to persuade more islanders to get on the ferry and visit Aberdeen city and shire.
The group of hoteliers are travelling to Shetland courtesy of Northlink Ferries on Thursday September 29.
While on the island they will visit food producers with a view to using their high-quality products on north-east hotel menus. The group will also be promoting a welcome offer to Aberdeen to the islanders based around Christmas shopping over the Black Friday weekend, with hotels and restaurants providing very special offers for visitors.
Mr Martin, who is also vice-chairman of at ACSHA, said: “This activity works on a number of levels. We are promoting our area to people and we want to give them a reason to come more often.”
Gary Atkinson, Chairman of the ACHSA, said: “We are very grateful to NorthLink ferries for making this happen by sponsoring the initiative. A genuine example of joined up thinking and working together.”