Tourism body VisitAberdeenshire will be bringing a taste of Scotland to mainland Europe at the M&I Forum from 28 June to 2 July. Business development director Peter Medley and business development manager Jenni Fraser will swap the north east coast for central Spain when they head to Madrid to meet with key MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and events) buyers from across the globe.
Hot on the heels of a successful trip to The Meetings Show in London earlier this month, the M&I Forum’s programme of scheduled one-to-one meetings, networking events and gala dinners will allow the VisitAberdeenshire delegates the chance to showcase Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire to an international audience of over 185 business tourism buyers.
Peter Medley says, “There was an overwhelming positivity towards the north east of Scotland when we attended The Meetings Show, with many buyers impressed with just what the area has to offer. We are looking forward to continuing to build upon that enthusiasm in Madrid.
“Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire has a lot to offer the meetings, conference and incentives market and at events like these we can really show off the region’s best assets. With Aberdeen International Airport’s £20 million expansion well underway, and new flight routes – including those to the USA via Icelandair – opening up the area to a global audience, it’s becoming easier and easier for international businesspeople to visit Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire for business events.
“Room rates in Aberdeen are now lower than they have been for a number of years, and coupled with the newly expanded range of hotels on offer that makes the area a very attractive proposition. The sheer range of high-quality venues available to organisers at a reasonable price will encourage events of all kinds to take place in the north east.”
Throughout the event, the VisitAberdeenshire delegation will meet with prominent tourism buyers from around the world in order to spread the word about the facilities available in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire for those looking to organise large-scale events. The £333 million relocation and upgrading of the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, coupled with the renovations of Aberdeen Art Gallery and the Music Hall – worth £30 million and £7 million respectively, will provide a welcome boost to the area’s conferencing and events offering, and will no doubt be an attractive prospect to international buyers.
But Peter and Jenni will not just be talking business: Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire also have a lot to offer the incentive travel market. With 70 golf courses in the region and numerous whisky distillery tastings and tours available throughout the year, organisations looking to incentivise their staff are being encouraged to turn to the north east of Scotland.
Peter adds, “Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire have a fantastic reputation amongst MICE buyers, and our time in Spain will be spent meeting with people to strengthen that reputation for superior hospitality and world-class facilities.
“Madrid is the home of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, so it seems fitting that VisitAberdeenshire will be heading there to promote business tourism in the north east of Scotland.”
For more information about VisitAberdeenshire, visit www.visitabdn.com