Scottish tourism businesses have been forging new links with one of the world’s biggest economies – China.
They joined Scotland’s national tourism organisation for one of its biggest travel trade missions to date.
VisitScotland staged its annual business development mission in Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing this year.
It is the second project of its kind since China was made a priority market last year.
The mission gave Scottish suppliers the opportunity to engage with over 190 Chinese buyers face-to-face.
VisitScotland also targeted the Chinese market with a new social media campaign.
A series of short videos set in Aberdeen, Moray Speyside, Glasgow, Loch Lomond and North Berwick were shown, with the tagline “Only in Scotland does a single visit become a lifelong love affair”.
Malcolm Roughead, chief executive of VisitScotland, said: “We have seen a steady rise in the Chinese visitor market in Scotland.
“Our ongoing goal is to continue to raise awareness of our country as a destination in China, showcasing the great products we know will appeal to these visitors.”
This year has already seen an increase in engagement with the Chinese market, with 42 Chinese buyers welcomed to the VisitScotland Expo in April.
The first consumer research into what Chinese holidaymakers think of Scotland was also commissioned
Mr Roughead added: “Tourism is more than a holiday experience. It is the heartbeat of the Scottish economy and touches every community, generating income, jobs and social change.”
