A new scheme aimed at north-east tourism businesses is expected to help unleash their potential as major revenue earners.
The Tourism Business Game Changer programme aims to support executives, managers and owners who want to cash in on major infrastructure investment in the region, as well as changing consumer trends.
Devised by private sector economic development body Opportunity North East (One) and Scottish Enterprise (SE), and backed by tourism body VisitAberdeesnhire, the scheme starts this month.
Firms seeking to take part must get their applications to SE by Friday.
Participants will each develop a business growth plan, while increasing their knowledge of the local and national tourism support network and how it can help them reach target markets.
Over the next five months they will have access to a range of business growth tools, including one-to-one support, and take part in a best practice learning day.
A total of 12 places are available on the pilot programme and up to two delegates per firm can attend.
One chief executive, Jennifer Craw, said: “One and Scottish Enterprise have developed this unique programme in partnership and by working closely with VisitAberdeenshire.
“The content has been designed to give participants an in-depth understanding of how to grow their business by targeting new markets.
“The successful development of the north-east of Scotland’s tourism sector is essential to achieving our shared ambition of growing visitor spend in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire to £1 billion per year by 2023.”
SE tourism project manager Elaine Booth added: “The north-east is a popular destination for visitors the world over.
“We’re proud to partner with One and VisitAberdeenshire to help local businesses maximise the opportunities this presents, giving them the right tools for future growth that will deliver economic benefits for the region.”
Maryculter House managing director Peter Walker said: “We have a real opportunity to capitalise on local investments in infrastructure and visitor attractions.
“A programme like this designed by the tourism industry for the tourism industry, with a regional specific focus, couldn’t come at a better time.”